Negotiations have been ongoing in Israel for the release of prisoners held by Hamas. The agreement may involve a five-day ceasefire and the release of at least 50 hostages. The United States and Qatar have indicated that an agreement is close, but it has not yet been confirmed officially. Simultaneously, the Israeli army has presented new evidence that it claims justifies continued operations against al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
Hamas holds 239 prisoners, and negotiations have been mediated by Qatar and Egypt with involvement from the Mossad and the CIA. Leaders from Qatar have expressed growing confidence that an agreement will be reached soon while conflicting reports have surfaced from Israel, creating uncertainty.
Israel has continued to present evidence of terrorist activity in Gaza. They claim to have evidence of a tunnel running under al-Shifa hospital and have released videos purporting to show hostages being transported through the hospital. Meanwhile, Israel continues armed operations in northern Gaza and allegations of an attack on an Indonesian hospital in the region have surfaced.
The only positive news is that the WHO managed to evacuate 31 premature newborns from al-Shifa hospital, however, two children died while many newborns have been left alone without family members. The situation in Israel and Gaza continues to unfold.