(CNN) – As the current ceasefire between Hamas and Israel draws to a close, another extension will be announced once Hamas hands over a new list of hostage names, sources familiar with the negotiations told CNN on Wednesday.
The ceasefire, which began on Friday with a two-day extension, is expected to end at 7am local time on Thursday. The sources expressed their hope, but until Hamas provides the list, “nothing is certain.”
During the six days of the cease-fire, 70 Israelis were released, including some with dual citizenship, and 24 foreign nationals, and 3 dual Israeli nationals outside the scope of the agreement.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel early Thursday morning.
A senior Israeli official said earlier Wednesday that his country was trying to determine “the possibility” of extending the ceasefire with Hamas, while the Israeli government and its military leaders have issued several statements about resuming fighting. The ceasefire came to an end, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel would “fight to the end”.
Similarly, Israeli Commander-in-Chief Herzey Halevi said on Wednesday that the Israeli military is ready for the next phase of war when the cease-fire in Gaza expires, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant confirmed that “forces in the air, land and sea. are ready to start operations immediately if a decision is made.”
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