Israel, the United States, and Hamas are on the verge of finalizing a deal to release around 50 hostages in Gaza, who were abducted on October 7. According to sources, the agreement includes a five-day suspension of hostilities.
Despite reports, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson emphasized that no deal has been officially reached, but efforts are ongoing.
The potential agreement, outlined in a six-page document, was crafted during meetings in Doha involving representatives from the U.S., Israel, and Hamas, with mediation by Qatari officials. CIA Director William Burns and Mossad Director David Barnea participated in trilateral talks in Doha, with White House senior official Brett McGurk expected to join on Sunday.
If finalized, the agreement could initiate the release of hostages within the next few days, with combat operations paused for at least five days. Hostages would be released in smaller batches every 24 hours. Hamas is believed to be holding at least 220 hostages following its October 7 attack in southern Israel, which has intensified pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Simultaneously, tragic events unfolded on the ground, with an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis city resulting in the death of twenty-six Palestinians, predominantly children. In a separate development, the Israeli Air Force targeted Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, responding to launches from the Lebanese border. The conflict, now in its 43rd day, has claimed over 11,500 Palestinian and more than 1,200 Israeli lives.
As Israel extended its campaign into Khan Yunis, residents in the north evacuated to the southern part of the strip. Furthermore, Israel took control of the largest medical center in Gaza, prompting hundreds to evacuate. The situation in the West Bank is escalating, marked by a confirmed Israeli army raid resulting in the death of five Palestinians allegedly planning a terror attack. The conflict’s toll continues to rise, with seven Palestinians killed in two separate incidents on the preceding Friday.
