Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two days, raising the prospect of further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel and a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war. Eleven Israeli women and children freed by Hamas entered Israel on Monday night after more than seven weeks in captivity in Gaza in the fourth swap under the original four-day truce. Thirty-three Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived early Tuesday in east Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Ramallah. The deal for two additional days of cease-fire raised hopes for further extensions, which would also allow more aid into Gaza. But Israel says it remains committed to ending Hamas’ 16-year rule over Gaza.
