YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS. A senior Egyptian official said on Monday that Egypt and Qatar were close to reaching a deal to extend a truce between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza by two days, continuing a pause in seven weeks of warfare that has killed thousands and laid waste to the Palestinian enclave, Reuters reports.

''Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), said the extension would include the release of 20 Israeli hostages from among those seized by Hamas during its Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel. In exchange 60 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be freed,'' he said.

''With the release of 11 Israeli hostages expected on Monday, negotiations remain ongoing for the release of 33 Palestinians,'' Rashwan added.