Negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza continue

By Nathan Morley

Hopes are growing that some of the more than 200 Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas could soon be freed.

Qatar has been mediating between Israel and Hamas, and says ‘very minor’ obstacles remain in the way of a deal.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has released two new videos that it says proved that Hamas has been using Gaza’s biggest hospital, Al Shifa, as a command centre.

Elsewhere, the WHO says it is finalizing plans to complete the evacuation of the remaining patients and medical staff from Al Shifa. Reports say 31 premature babies were transferred from the hospital on Sunday and are now receiving care in southern Gaza.

In a separate development, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says an Israeli air strike on a hospital has killed at least 12 people.

The same organization says 13,000 people have been killed in the territory since Israel began its campaign against Hamas.

Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages.