Egypt, Qatar to push new two-day truce in Gaza

Cairo: Egypt announced that negotiators from the country, along with those from Qatar, are pushing for another two-day extension to the truce in Gaza, reports Reuters.

A statement from Egypt's state media body informed that they are pushing for more prisoner releases and an increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid.

This follows the last-minute extension of the truce for a seventh day on Thursday.

Extension during Thursday made the release of 10 Israelis captured by Hamas and 30 Palestinian prisoners. According to the head of Egypt's state information service, Diaa Rashwan, humanitarian relief was also allowed on the day, just like the past six days.

The statement also said that Egypt would continue to put efforts in place to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to the north and south of the Gaza Strip.

As speculations abound, the spotlight now shifts to the arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel. Israeli diplomacy avoids major developments during visits by senior American officials, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Meanwhile, progressive members of the US Congress, led by Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, gathered outside the White House alongside activists and notable figures like Cynthia Nixon and Denee Benton.

They called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, reading the names of over 15,000 Palestinians killed in the conflict. Tlaib emphasized the urgency of ending the war and ensuring a lasting pause in hostilities.

Across the globe, demonstrators in the central Philippine city of Cebu rallied for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza during a march commemorating the birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary Andres Bonifacio. Members of The Network Opposed to War denounced what they referred to as the "genocide" of Palestinians, demanding justice and higher wages for Filipino workers.