Egypt says agreement is close on two-day extension to Israel-Hamas truce

The truce is due to end on Monday night

Palestinians drive through Gaza City on Sunday, the third day of the temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Picture: AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar

A senior Egyptian official said on Monday that Egypt and Qatar were close to reaching a deal to extend a truce between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza by two days, continuing a pause in seven weeks of warfare that has killed thousands and laid waste to the Palestinian enclave.

Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), said the extension would include the release of 20 Israeli hostages from among those seized by Hamas during its October 7 assault on southern Israel. In exchange 60 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be freed, he said.