HAMAS LEADER SAYS THAT TRUCE IS CLOSE BUT ISRAEL HAS NOT YET CONFIRMED THIS

 

1. The leader of Hamas says the group is close to reaching a "truce agreement" with Israel, raising hopes of a pause in hostilities in Gaza that could see hostages freed
2. Israel has not commented. Earlier PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his country would not stop fighting until hostages are brought home
3. A deal could see Hamas returning hostages in exchange for Israel's release of jailed Palestinians, according to AFP and Al Jazeera
4. US President Joe Biden on Monday said he believed a deal was close - the White House spoke of temporary pauses in fighting to allow hostages safely out
5. The International Committee of the Red Cross, which helped facilitate previous deals, has been meeting Hamas leaders in Qatar - raising further hopes
6. Meanwhile, fighting continues to rage in Gaza, with the Israeli military saying it has surrounded the city of Jabalia in the north
7. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says 13,300 people, including more than 5,000 children, have been killed in Israel's campaign
8. Israel began attacking Hamas-run Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 others hostage

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10. Hostage deal closer than we've ever been - Washington

    

    EPACopyright: EPA

    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.

    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."

    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."

     Israel says it is responding to missiles from Lebanon

    In the last few days there have been numerous cross-border skirmishes on the border between northern Israel and Lebanon. 

    

    
    

    A short while ago Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari has given an update on social media.

    Three anti-tank missiles were fired from Lebanese territory towards the Metula area, Hagari wrote on X adding there are no reported casualties.

    "IDF forces are attacking the source of the shooting in Lebanese territory," he added.

11. IDF says it surrounds north Gazan city

    Israel's army says it has surrounded the northern Gaza city of Jabalia as it says its forces are "ready for the next phase".

    Jabalia lies to the north of Gaza City, which has seen some of the fiercest fighting of the war.

    In an update a few hours ago, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has carried out attacks on 250 Hamas targets in the last day using fighter jets and "remotely manned aircraft".

    This included three tunnel shafts in the Jabalia area and killed dozens of fighters, the IDF added.

12. EVEN MORE DETAILS AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67481139