The temporary cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages has been hailed as a glimpse of hope after seven weeks of conflict that was sparked by deadly Hamas attacks on Israel and retaliatory attacks in the Gaza Strip by the Middle Eastern nation.
The deadline for the first phase of the cease-fire passed without major incidents after 11 more Israeli hostages were freed from Gaza and 33 Palestinians walked free overnight after being held in prison in the Middle Eastern nation.
Despite the extended truce, an AFP journalist saw an Israeli tank fire three times in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City as Palestinians attempted to make use of the lull to return to their homes.
The Israeli military described the shelling as "warning shots," saying its tank fired as suspected militants approached army positions.
At least one person was hurt, the AFP reporter saw. Hamas and U.N. officials have reported that Israeli fire has killed at least one person since the truce began on November 24.
Key mediator Qatar and Hamas had confirmed the extension of the pause and Israeli media reported the government had received a new list of 10 more hostages who would be freed.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the cease-fire extension as "a glimpse of hope and humanity in the middle of the darkness of war."
The truce paused fighting that began on October 7 when Hamas militants poured over the border into Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping more than 240 Israelis and others.
Israel's retaliatory ground and air operation in the Gaza Strip has killed almost 15,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the territory's Hamas government.
Despite the truce extension, Israel has vowed to stick to its war aim of destroying Hamas and rescuing all 240 hostages held in the war zone.
The Israel Defense Forces, IDF, on Monday said 11 hostages arrived in the Middle Eastern nation.
"Our forces will accompany them until they are reunited with their families," the military said.
Images released by the Israeli military showed French-Israeli child Eitan Yahalomi reunited with his mother, who gripped him tightly to her.
A handout picture released by the IDF showing 12-year-old Eitan Yahalomi, a French-Israeli hostage, being reunited with his mother following his release by Hamas from the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Nov. 28, 2023.
Sharon Calderon, the aunt of 16-year-old Sahar and 12-year-old Erez who were released on Monday called for their father Ofer to be released. Two other family members were killed on October 7.
"We've got Erez and Sahar here and we're very, very happy we got them home. We have to get Ofer and the rest of the kidnapped and bring them here," Calderon said.
"Bring them home and to be again a big happy family. So let's go, let's bring them back," she added.
Shortly after the arrival of the hostages was confirmed, Israel's prison authority said 33 Palestinian inmates had been released.
In annexed east Jerusalem, prisoner Muhammad Abu Al-Humus called his release "an indescribable joy" and kissed his mother's hand as he entered his home.
"I'm very happy. I hope that others will soon be released — my friends, my cousins," Al-Humus said.
Released 17-year-old Palestinian prisoner Muhammad Abu Al-Humus, kisses his mother's hand after arriving home in east Jerusalem, Nov. 28, 2023.
Crowds in the West Bank town of Beitunia waved green Hamas flags to greet released prisoners arriving on a coach.
But nearby there were also clashes with Israeli troops by Ofer prison, with Palestinians burning tyres and throwing stones. The Palestinian health ministry said one person was killed.
Editor's Note: This article was updated to correct the original AFP article and reflect the number of hostages taken from Israel on October 7.