Hamas says Gaza truce deal ‘close’, raising hopes for hostages

GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday a truce agreement with Israel was in sight, raising hopes that his militant group could soon release dozens of people taken hostage in the October 7 attacks.
“We are close to reaching a deal on a truce,” Haniyeh said, according to a statement sent by his office.
For weeks, as the war in Gaza has raged, negotiators have tried to pin down a deal to free some of the estimated 240 hostages held by Palestinian militants.