Hamas ready to extend ceasefire

While the US has urged Israel to establish safe zones for Gaza residents as a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire expires on the morning of December 1.

Israel has yet to respond to the information. After a meeting with Israeli and West Bank leaders on November 30, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged an extension of the ongoing ceasefire. He stated that Washington wants the ceasefire to last eight days or longer. According to him, Israel needs to implement plans to protect civilians to minimize casualties among Palestinians, including establishing areas and locations in southern and central Gaza for people to be safe.

The unnamed source also said that mediators are trying to extend the ceasefire by one day, as a stepping stone to negotiations for a further extension. Since the November 24 ceasefire agreement was implemented, a total of 110 hostages, including 80 Israelis and 240 Palestinian prisoners, have been released.

In a related development, according to a VNA correspondent in Africa, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced on November 30 that his country is ready to receive wounded Palestinians from the Gaza Strip for treatment.

Saied made the decision during a meeting with Health Minister Ali Mrabet, Minister-Adviser to the President of Tunisia Mustapha Ferjani and President of the Tunisian Red Crescent Society (CRT) Abdellatif Chabou. The meeting focused on measures to be taken to accommodate Palestinians. Tunisia has sent two flights to Egypt's Al-Arish airport carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including medical equipment, medicines, ready-to-eat meals, wheelchairs, blankets and food.