Israel-Hamas war updates: Gaza truce enters fifth day; UN chief calls for further talks toward cease-fire

Key talks mediator Qatar is focused on further prolonging a cease-fire between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, following a first two-day extension announced late Monday, which will facilitate the release of additional hostages and the entry of further humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Qatar, alongside Egypt and the U.S., has been critical in brokering the first humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect at the end of last week.

The Middle Eastern nation cannot confirm the number of remaining hostages under discussion beyond the 20 due to be released by Hamas on Tuesday and Wednesday, foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said in a press briefing, according to Reuters.

Israel has previously said that it would consider truce extensions as long as 10 captives are released each day of the limited cease-fire, but it remains to be seen whether these are the current terms.

— Ruxandra Iordache

The war against Hamas has so far cost Israel an estimated 198 billion Israeli shekels ($53.4 billion), the country’s central bank