Hopes rise for Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, the first positive sign in months that a truce in the Israel-Hamas war may be in sight. Follow for live news updates.

• Hamas and Israel are closest to a Gaza ceasefire-hostage agreement in months, mediators say. As negotiations continue in Qatar, Hamas said talks are in their “final stages” and Israel is “ready for a ceasefire,” an official said. • Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging deal, two Israeli officials said. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be released from Israeli jails at the same time. • The release of the hostages would be the first phase of the deal being finalized. Negotiations to reach the second phase – which is intended to end the war – would begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal. Here’s what we know about the potential deal. A high-level delegation from the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad is arriving in the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday evening, the group’s media office said. The delegation will take part in the finalization of details for a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal, according to the media office. Remember: Islamic Jihad is a Hamas ally that was involved in the deadly attacks in Israel and the taking of hostages on October 7, 2023.