Israel 'close' to deal that could free 50 hostages

HOPES for a breakthrough in the Israel-Hamas war rose last night after sources said a hostage and ceasefire deal was the "closest it has been".

- Giles Sheldrick

Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected "good news soon" on the release of captives in Gaza, following weeks of secret talks.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said a truce was "close" and talks mediated by Gulf state Qatar were said to be entering "final stages".

It is the first glimmer of hope in the bloody conflict that began on October 7 and has claimed 15,000 lives, mainly innocent people.

If agreed, the deal could free as many as 50 of 240 civilians held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel would pause its ground invasion for up to five days and release Palestinians held in custody.

Sources close to the talks said a number of Palestinian women and children would also be released from prisons.

It could also let the biggest flow of humanitarian aid into the obliterated territory since Hamas terrorists entered Israel and slaughtered about 1,400 people in a dawn rampage seven weeks ago.