MOSCOW — Edward Snowden's lawyer says the NSA whistleblower has been granted permission to stay in Russia for three more years.

Snowden last year was granted temporary asylum of one year in Russia, but that ran out on Aug. 1.

His lawyer, Analtoly Kucherena, was quoted by Russian news agencies today as saying Snowden now has been granted residency for three more years, but that he had not been granted political asylum. That status, which would allow him to stay in Russia permanently, must be decided by a separate procedure, Kucherena said, but didn't say whether Snowden is seeking it.

Snowden was stranded in a Moscow airport last year en route from Hong Kong to Cuba, shortly after he released extensive documentation about National Security Agency's surveillance programs. He reportedly spent a month in the airport before receiving the temporary asylum, but was seen only at one tightly restricted meeting with human rights representatives.

Since receiving the temporary asylum, his whereabouts have not been made public. The case has been significant contributor to the tensions between Russia and the United States.

JERUSALEM — An Israeli Cabinet minister warned today that Israel will respond if Hamas resumes fire after a temporary truce expires in the Gaza Strip.The statement, along with Hamas' earlier threats, signals that both sides are digging in their positions — presumably to secure best terms for a deal — as negotiations continue in Cairo on a lasting truce and reconstruction for the war-battered coastal territory.However, the two sides remain far apart and far from anything resembling an agreement. Israel wants the Islamic militant group, which runs the Gaza Strip, to disarm, or at least ensure it cannot rearm, before considering Hamas' demand to lift a crippling blockade that was imposed by Israel in 2007 and later enforced by Egypt as well.The 72-hour truce went into effect Tuesday morning, which helped launch the talks in Cairo. Israel and Hamas are under heavy international pressure to extend the cease-fire.