US President Biden signals 'hostage deal'

When asked whether a deal for the release of hostages in Gaza was close, Biden replied, "I believe so." Biden did not share further details on the matter and said he was "not prepared to talk" about it.

HOSTAGE SWAP CLAIMS

The US press had suggested that a hostage swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in which Israeli women and children would be released in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in detention, could be announced within a few days.

Speaking to The Washington Post, an unnamed senior Israeli official claimed that Israel and Hamas had "agreed on the general outlines of the hostage swap deal," stating that the plan involved the simultaneous release of Israeli and Palestinian women and children in groups.

''WE CONTINUE TO WORK FOR A DEAL''

White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson also shared the news on the social media platform X yesterday, writing, "We have not reached a deal yet, but we continue to work hard to get a deal done."

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated in his remarks today, "There are only minor challenges remaining for a hostage swap between Hamas and Israel."