US claims to advocate for truce extension in Gaza: White House
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During the one-week truce, the resistance freed 80 Israeli captives in return for the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners.
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Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Palestine, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. (AP Photo)
The United States is claiming it is set to persist in advocating for the extension of a truce in Gaza, according to a statement from the White House on Friday. This alleged commitment comes amid "Israel's" renewed offensive on Gaza.
"We continue to work with Israel, Egypt, and Qatar on efforts to extend the humanitarian pause in Gaza," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.
During the one-week truce, the resistance freed 80 Israeli captives in return for the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, a substantial amount of humanitarian aid was delivered to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Footage circulating on social media shows the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in Khan Younis in the #Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/Gjqm9jonym
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 1, 2023
Truce renewal faces obstacles
The potential for renewing a truce is facing obstacles because, according to the NSC spokesperson, "Hamas has so far failed to produce a list of hostages that would enable a further extension of the pause."
US President Joe Biden and his national security team, as stated by the NSC spokesperson, "will continue to remain deeply engaged as we look to free the remaining hostages."
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also pushed for an extension of the truce during discussions with Israeli and Palestinian officials on his visit to the region.
Upon his departure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to his unrealistic goal of annihilating the resistance in Gaza.
Read more: 'Israel' questions Joe Biden's loyalty, despite complicity in genocide
Earlier in the day, sources reported fierce confrontations between Resistance fighters and Israeli occupation forces in the al-Tawam area northwest of Gaza, coinciding with reports of sirens sounding in the Gaza envelope settlements.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent also reported about violent confrontations in Beit Hanoun, north of the Strip, as well as in Tal al-Hawa, southwest of Gaza City.
Palestinian Resistance fighters confronted advancing Israeli occupation tanks northwest of Gaza in the Sheikh Radwan area, coinciding with confrontations in al-Mughraqa and northern Gaza simultaneous with Israeli shelling targeting the northwest of the Strip.
The death toll in Gaza currently stands at over 18,000, according to official figures.
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
