Hostage talks progress as war rages on in Gaza

Qatar, which hosts some leaders of Hamas, is helping broker the talks

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Israeli forces engaged in heavy fighting with Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip overnight as the US said it was optimistic about a deal to free hostages held by the militant group.

The Israeli military and Shin Bet, the country's domestic security service, said they killed three Hamas commanders, while fighter jets bombed more buildings and sites used by Hamas.

The main thrust of Israel's ground offensive is eastwards into Gaza City, which the military describes as Hamas's "center of gravity." Israeli forces have taken control of many parts of the city's Al Shifa hospital and over the weekend showed videos they say prove Hamas exploited the facility, building a command center and tunnels underneath it.