Hamas in Gaza offers to release some of about 240 hostages in a deal with Israel

Israel and Hamas are supposedly considering a proposal for the release of approximately 240 foreign and Israeli hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas. The potential deal may involve the release of at least 50 women and children in exchange for a three-to-five-day pause in the fighting, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of some Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons. Among the hostages are a baby born in captivity and a 10-month-old boy. Reports suggest the U.S. and Qatar are facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. However, little is known about the fate of the hostages, and it remains a dire situation for civilians involved. The Israeli government did not provide a statement on the matter. Gaza’s largest healthcare facility, al-Shifa Hospital, had been encircled by Israeli forces, which have been disputed by Hamas. The hostage release is expected to happen soon, but skepticism about the agreement’s fruition persists.