Qatar Proposes Ceasefire and Hostage Deal

Qatar has presented a 'final' draft cease-fire and hostage release agreement to Israel and Hamas amid ongoing negotiations to end the Gaza conflict. U.S. officials, including President Biden and the newly appointed Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, are pushing to finalize a deal before the end of Biden's term, emphasizing the urgency for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid. Reports indicate that Hamas has expressed willingness to negotiate a list of hostages for release, although there are concerns about potential disagreements between Hamas leaders inside and outside Gaza. Israeli officials are cautiously optimistic about the talks, with Netanyahu's delegation set to travel to Qatar to advance negotiations. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with over 46,000 reported casualties since the beginning of hostilities in October 2023. The situation remains fluid, as both sides navigate contentious points in the negotiations.