Mossad chief David Barnea told Israel's war cabinet that the Qatari mediator had sent a message to Israel that Hamas was ready to strike a deal to release 40 to 50 hostages, including women, adults and the sick, in exchange for 20 up to 30 days to negotiate ceasefire and release of prisoners.
Ynet reports this, citing an Israeli source, adding that Hamas has withdrawn its previous demand for a complete ceasefire as a condition for the return of the hostages.
According to the same source, Israel has asked Qatar for clarification and is asking for answers by today. Commenting on the developments, a political official spoke of “slight progress”, although “the road is still long and it is too early to understand whether this will allow negotiations to begin and reach a turning point”.
Another security source – writes Ynet – was more skeptical, arguing that “the possibility of an agreement is slim unless there is a fundamental change in Hamas regarding the survival of its government and the demand for a complete ceasefire.”
This morning there is fierce fighting in Gaza between the Israeli army and Hamas terrorists, reports the Israeli Air Force on X. The fighting, writes the Times of Israel, is taking place throughout the Gaza Strip. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) announced that it destroyed two Hamas military buildings in the northern city of Beit Lahia yesterday. Several of the terrorist group's targets were attacked in the north and center of Gaza, Walla reported. Hours earlier, Israeli air force and ground forces attacked targets in the southern city of Khan Yunis.
Israel: “Dozens of terrorists were killed in Gaza City yesterday”
Israeli ground forces, with the support of the air force, killed “dozens of terrorists” in Gaza City yesterday, including 15 hits by the air force: the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced this morning on Telegram.
Ground forces also destroyed a terrorist cell in Gaza City's Shejaiya district and a “terrorist armed with a grenade launcher.” In addition, two Hamas military complexes were dismantled in the north of the Gaza Strip – in Beit Lahia – where Israeli troops found numerous weapons, explosive devices, military equipment and communication devices. Two more “terrorists” were also killed in the Beit Lahia area, the statement said.
West Bank: Al Jazeera, 14 people arrested in Israeli raid on refugee camp
Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera reports that Israeli forces carried out a dawn raid in the West Bank today, arresting 14 Palestinians from the Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah.
Israel, 80% of the rockets fired by Hezbollah yesterday fell in Lebanon
80% of the rockets fired by the terrorist group Hezbollah against Israel yesterday fell in Lebanon. This is what the Arabic-speaking spokesman for the Israeli army, Avichay Adraee, writes on X. “Hezbollah continues to use Lebanese civilians as hostages by supporting Hamas. In response to the attacks, the army is attacking Hezbollah positions,” he said.
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