Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told families of hostages held in Gaza that a deal for their release could be near. This comes as fighting continues to rage in the battered Palestinian enclave. Israeli forces have been pushing forward with a raid into the southern area of Khan Younis, ordering civilians to evacuate. Thousands of people are fleeing their homes as Israeli airstrikes continue. Netanyahu is expected to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden this week after speaking to families of hostages in Washington. He said that the conditions for a deal are “undoubtedly ripening.”
While the deal is said to be mediated by Egypt and Qatar, it is likely to be a multi-stage process. Netanyahu has said that he believes the deal will leave Israel with the leverage to secure the release of all hostages. However, some families of hostages remain skeptical and are calling for more pressure from the U.S. to secure the deal. Hamas officials have dismissed Netanyahu’s comments as stalling tactics. An Israeli negotiation team is set to resume talks on Thursday.
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The ongoing fighting has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with thousands displaced and many killed. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has expressed concern about the cycle of fear and displacement, noting that the situation is impossible for the people of Gaza.