Truce in Gaza extended another day but talks over remaining hostages held by Hamas could get tougher

Extension of Gaza ceasefire agreed; Jerusalem attack kills 3. U.S. Sec. Blinken hopes process will continue

Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute Thursday to extend their ceasefire in Gaza by another day. But any further renewal of the deal that has seen dozens of hostages and prisoners released could prove more challenging since Hamas is expected to demand greater concessions for many of the remaining captives.

As word of the extension came, gunmen opened fire on people waiting for buses along a main highway entering Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding several others, according to police.

Another five Israeli security personnel were also wounded, with the Israeli police shooting dead all three assailants.

That attack was claimed by the armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

The two attackers, brothers from a Palestinian neighbourhood in annexed east Jerusalem, were killed. Hamas said they were members of its armed wing and celebrated the assault, but called it “a natural response” to Israel’s actions in Gaza and elsewhere. It was unclear if the attack had been ordered by Hamas’ leaders or if it would have an impact on the truce.

International pressure has mounted for the cease-fire to continue as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians uprooted more than three-quarters of the population of 2.3 million and led to a humanitarian crisis.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his third visit to the region since the start of the war, said “my heart goes out” to the victims of the Jerusalem attack. Mr. Blinken is expected to press for further extensions of the truce and the release of more hostages.