Guardian - A protest to highlight the number of children killed in Gaza since Israel began its military campaign has been taking place in Istanbul, Turkey. Childrens’ shoes and the photographs of victims of Israeli airstrikes have been left in Üsküdar Square. Health officials in Gaza have claimed that at least 5,000 children have been killed by the assault so far.
The Times of Israel reported Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari saying “we are at the closest point we ever had been in reaching an agreement”, adding that negotiations were at a “critical and final stage”. It is reported that the deal would involve a multi-day pause in hostilities, the release of about 50 civilian hostages by Hamas and the release of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli custody, according to a source who briefed Reuters.
There has been very little official comment from Israel on the prospect of a deal with Hamas over the release of hostages. The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has frequently insisted there could be no ceasefire until all the hostages were released, and earlier today national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, cautioned against a deal. However, Reuters notes that Israel’s Channel 12 television quoted an unidentified senior government source earlier today saying “they are close” but gave no further details.
US officials say they have helped some 800 US citizens leave Gaza. But more than 1,200 people with ties to the US – including citizens, green card-holders and their families – remain trapped in the embattled territory.
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