Hamas declares that it wants the ceasefire to last

After three sets of Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza and three sets of Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released from Israeli jails, Hamas claims it wants to prolong the four-day cease-fire with Israel.

In an announcement made public on Sunday night, Hamas declared its intention to "seriously endeavor to expand the number of individuals released from detention as specified in the humanitarian ceasefire agreement, in order to prolong the truce once the four-day period passes."

Encouragement from important countries: Qatar, which was a major mediator of the first accord, expressed its desire to prolong the cease-fire.