Hamas said Tuesday its negotiators are closer to a possible truce that could include an agreement to release a number of female and child hostages in exchange for prisoners held by Israel. Israeli officials have expressed openness to a multiday pause in fighting to get hostages out, but they have emphasized that a cease-fire is a different matter and had not publicly commented on any deal. President Biden said Monday he believed a deal to free hostages was near. Neither the United States nor Israel speaks directly to Hamas. Qatar has been an intermediary in the discussions. On Tuesday, Gaza’s Health Ministry said it is working with the Red Cross to evacuate wounded people stranded at the Indonesian Hospital after the northern Gaza facility was bombarded. At least 12 people were killed, and dozens were injured, according to the Health Ministry. The Israel Defense Forces said militants opened fire on its troops from within the hospital and that they retaliated but no shells were fired toward the facility. The Washington Post could not independently verify either side’s claims.
