Hamas said Tuesday its negotiators are closer to a possible pause in the conflict: a “truce” that could include an agreement to release a number of female and child hostages in exchange for prisoners held by Israel. A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, an intermediary in the discussions, said talks have reached a “critical” and “final stage.” Israeli officials have expressed openness to a multiday pause in fighting to get hostages out, but they have emphasized that a cease-fire is a different matter and have not publicly commented on any deal. President Biden said Monday he believed a deal to free hostages was near. On Tuesday, Gaza’s Health Ministry said it is working with the Red Cross to evacuate wounded people stranded at the Indonesian Hospital after the northern Gaza facility was bombarded.
