Hamas reportedly close to truce deal as Israel yet to comment

Israel and Hamas are reportedly “close to reaching a truce agreement” according to Hamas’s leader Ismail Haniyeh. 

Israel has not commented on the truce. 

The deal could see Hamas returning the hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of jailed Palestinians, according to AFP and Al Jazeera. 

US President Joe Biden had earlier indicated a deal could soon be agreed that would involve Hamas releasing hostages from Gaza in exchange for pauses in fighting. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which helped facilitate previous deals, has further raised hopes by saying its head is meeting Hamas. 

Gaza’s health ministry says 13,300 people have been killed in the territory since Israel started its campaign.

Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October and killed 1,200 Israelis and took more than 200 hostage.