Hamas leader says truce deal close as Israel yet to comment
BBC updates:
Hamas's leader Ismail Haniyeh says they are "close to reaching a truce agreement". There has been no update from Israel.
The deal could see Hamas returning hostages in exchange for Israel's release of jailed Palestinians, according to AFP and Al Jazeera.
US President Joe Biden had earlier indicated a deal could soon be agreed that would involve Hamas releasing hostages from Gaza in exchange for pauses in fighting.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which helped facilitate previous deals, has further raised hopes by saying its head is meeting Hamas.
The head of Gaza's Indonesian Hospital has told the BBC that "intermittent shooting" is still being heard at the site, where 500 patients remain inside.
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says 13,300 people have been killed in the territory since Israel started its campaign.
Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October and went on to kill 1,200 Israelis while taking more than 200 others hostage.
We mentioned in our round-up that US President Joe Biden hinted a hostage release deal being on the brink.
Let's bring you some remarks from the White House national security spokesperson who gave reporters an update at a briefing last night.
John Kirby explained:
Quote Message: I do not have an update for you on the hostage deal that we’re trying to negotiate, but as you heard the deputy national security advisor say yesterday, we believe we’re closer than we’ve ever been. Quote Message: So, we’re hopeful, but there's still work to be done. And nothing is done until it’s all done, so we’re going to keep working on this." The positive noises coming out of Qatar about a potential truce deal echo similar sentiments expressed in Washington.
The statement from the Hamas leader, who lives in Qatar, came after he'd met the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the capital Doha.
The ICRC helped deliver the four hostages who were released last month.
A Hamas official told the Al Jazeera news network that the agreement now being discussed would include the release of Israeli women and children as well as Palestinian women and children in Israeli detention.
More aid would also be allowed into Gaza.
It’s assumed there would be a pause in the fighting to allow hostages out and aid in.
There has been no response from Israel yet.
But to be clear, no deal has been announced and previous attempts have faltered despite making reportedly positive progress.
Israeli diplomats said over the weekend they hope a significant number of hostages will be released.
Some families of the kidnapped expressed anger after meeting the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv last night, arguing retrieving their loved ones should be prioritised over the mission to destroy Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted the more the enemy is weakened the greater the chances of bringing home the hostages.
Hostage deal closer than we've ever been - Washington
I do not have an update for you on the hostage deal that we’re trying to negotiate, but as you heard the deputy national security advisor say yesterday, we believe we’re closer than we’ve ever been.
So, we’re hopeful, but there's still work to be done. And nothing is done until it’s all done, so we’re going to keep working on this."
Positive signs - but no deal has been announced yet
