The truce between Israel and Hamas has been delayed until at least Friday (November 24). Israeli officials confirmed that the beginning of the truce was rescheduled to at least 24 hours later than agreed upon.
Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi told local media about the delay in a late-night televised announcement but did not provide a reason why.
However, the Associated Press cited Israel's Channel 13 when it stated that there were still some last-minute details being ironed out.
As a result, airstrikes and offensive actions continue.
If the truce was officially initiated, Israeli troops and Hamas fighters were supposed to adhere to the pause in the fighting for at least four days to facilitate the release of Hamas hostages - particularly women and children - in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
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Netanyahu: The War Continues
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a televised news conference that the war would resume after the truce expires, and to continue its mission of destroying Hamas's military capabilities and the return of all Israeli civilian and foreign hostages.
"I want to be clear: The war is continuing," he said. "We will continue it until we achieve all our goals."
Netanyahu added that he also delivered the same message in a phone call to US President Joe Biden, as well as instructed the Israeli spy agency Mossad to hunt down Hamas's exiled leadership "wherever they are."
Israeli military officials also insisted that the truce was not the end of the war.
"We will continue until we are victorious," Israeli Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi told commanders in a video released by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) on Thursday (November 23).
Hostage Deal Potentially Divisive
The return of hostages could lift spirits in Israel, where their plight has gripped the nation as families of the hostages staged protests clamoring for the Israeli government to bring their loved ones home.
However, since the hostages set to be freed are limited, there could be a potential division between the hostages' families.
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