Overview

• Negotiations for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to reaching an agreement, which could see the release of some of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 terror attack on Israel.
• The U.S. is involved in intensive negotiations alongside Israel to recover an estimated 240 people who are being held under an information blackout.
• Israel's hard-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, warned against the deal, fearing it might lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners and allowing fuel into Gaza.
• The Red Cross said it was not part of the hostage release talks, but is ready to facilitate any future release that the parties agree to.
• Despite the shared suffering, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has come under withering criticism for its failure to prevent the attack.