Negotiators including from Qatar and the US pressed to maintain the truce agreement for Gaza that’s due to end in hours, with the prospect of an extension for at least two more days increasingly likely,

Mughrabi, Mohammad Salem and Humeyra Pamuk GAZA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Israel's military said it had resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza on Friday after accusing the Palestinian militant group of violating a seven-day temporary truce by firing towards Israeli territory.

As world leaders feted Qatar for brokering a truce between Israel and Hamas last week, its negotiators doubled down on their mediation efforts, fearful the ceasefire was about to collapse before it started.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their truce for at least another day, allowing for the release of more hostages held by the militant group in Gaza.Most Read from BloombergSaudi Arabia Offers Iran Investment to Blunt Gaza WarCharlie Munger,

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has been focused on the release of hostages from Gaza as Israel, Hamas extend a pause in fighting.

Word of the extension came just as the truce was to expire at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) Thursday. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the truce was being extended under the same terms as in the past, under which Hamas has released 10 Israeli hostages per day in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners.