In an effort to maintain peace during two significant religious periods, the Israeli government has agreed to extend the current ceasefire in Gaza for an additional six weeks.
The extension comes ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish festival of Passover, also known as Pesach.
The announcement was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office shortly after the original ceasefire period expired at midnight on Saturday.
The extension, which is backed by the United States, aims to provide a window of peace and stability as both Muslim and Jewish communities prepare for their respective religious observances.
Passover, or Pesach, is a major Jewish festival that celebrates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.
In the Hebrew calendar, Pesach begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan.
According to the ceasefire proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas is expected to release half of the Israeli citizens still held hostage in Gaza, both living and deceased, on the first day of the extension.
The remaining captives will be freed if both parties can agree on a permanent ceasefire.
While the Israeli government has taken steps toward extending the peace, Hamas has yet to make any public comments regarding the ceasefire extension or the terms of the prisoner releases.
This latest development offers a temporary reprieve from violence, giving hope to both sides that a more lasting agreement could be reached in the near future, especially as two sacred religious periods approach.
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