Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly seeking support from his cabinet to take over the Gaza strip. The plan includes areas where hostages may still be held and faces opposition from senior Israel Defense Forces officers.
The International Red Cross and the World Health Organization released a joint statement calling for the immediate release of the remaining hostages in Gaza. This statement came after Hamas propaganda videos showed current, deteriorating conditions of hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David. The Red Cross has not been allowed any access to the hostages during 22 months of war, and has previously faced heavy criticism over its failure to reach them.
Israel sent a negotiating team to Doha, Qatar for talks regarding a potential hostage release and ceasefire deal with Hamas after calling Hamas’s proposed changes to the initial deal “unacceptable”. Israeli officials said that they remain determined to pursue a phased agreement, rather than acceding to all of Hamas’s demands.
Liri Albag, a former Hamas hostage, will return to military service this week. She has decided not to return to her previous position as an observer, and instead seeks a role in communication and advocacy efforts.
Israel and Iran have reached a ceasefire after 12 days of war, according to the U.S. and later confirmed by officials from both Israel and Iran. The ceasefire will take effect in stages, and the war will be considered officially over after 24 hours without fighting. Just hours before the ceasefire began, Iran launched several missiles toward Israel, one of which hit an apartment building in Beersheba, killing four people.
The IDF has recovered the bodies of three slain hostages, Ofra Keidar, Jonathan Samerano, and Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, in a joint operation with Shin Bet. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged the government to take advantage of the current situation and reach a hostage deal to bring the remaining 50 hostages home.