1. Hamas says Gaza truce deal ‘close’

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has said a temporary truce agreement with Israel was in sight, raising hopes that dozens of people taken hostage could be released.

Under the agreement, between 50 and 100 Israeli civilian and foreign hostages would be released, but no military personnel. In exchange, some 300 Palestinians would be freed from Israeli jails, among them women and minors.

There was no immediate response from Israel.

2. Netanyahu vows no letup

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed there would be no letup in the army’s offensive in Gaza. “We will not stop fighting until we bring our hostages home,” Netanyahu declared after meeting relatives of those abducted.

Families expressed frustration after the meeting.“We wanted to hear about a deal and that return of the abductees is a priority among the war objectives. We didn’t hear that,” said Udi Goren, whose cousin Tal Haimi is among the hostages.

3. Gaza City telecom blackout

The Hamas government press office said there was a communications blackout in Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip after an Israeli strike hit the telecom towers.

4. Hospital evacuation

Gaza’s health ministry said 200 patients were evacuated from the Indonesian hospital with the help of the Red Cross just hours after it was hit by a deadly Israeli strike.

5. Babies arrive in Egypt

The World Health Organisation said 28 premature babies evacuated from Al-Shifa hospital had been taken to safety in Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

“All babies are fighting serious infections and continue needing health care,” the UN agency said.