Israel and Hamas agree to extend cease-fire for two more days, Qataris report

Israel and Hamas agreed Monday to extend their delicate truce for two days, according to a top official in Qatar, which plays host to political leaders of the Palestinian militant group.

The extension of the original four-day cease-fire likely means that more outside humanitarian aid can get into the sealed-off Palestinian enclave of Gaza and that more Israeli and foreign hostages could be released in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

“The State of Qatar announces that, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said in a statement on social media.