
Negotiators near deal with Hamas to release hostages
CBSN
Negotiators are getting closer to an agreement with Hamas to release an initial 50 civilians in exchange for Israel allowing in more aid including fuel, coinciding with a limited pause in fighting, multiple sources told CBS News. More civilian hostage releases could potentially follow.
At this stage, there is no firm deal in hand but rather a written draft agreement that is being passed between parties who remain locked in what were described to CBS News as very difficult talks brokered with the help of the U.S. and Qatar, according to two sources familiar.
In an interview with "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," White House deputy national security advisor Jon Finer said that "many areas of difference that previously existed" in the hostage talks "have been narrowed," and that the U.S. is "closer than we have been to reaching a final agreement."

Diogo Jota, Liverpool F.C. soccer player killed in car crash in Spain along with brother, police say
Spanish police say Liverpool F.C. soccer player Diogo Jota and his brother have been killed in a car crash in Spain. The Spanish civil guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the western city of Zamora.

It appeared on Wednesday that President Trump likely still has some deal-making to do before he can claim to have brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to end the devastating war in Gaza. Mr. Trump said in a Tuesday evening social media post that Israel had "agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize" a 60-day ceasefire, and he called on Hamas to accept the deal, warning the U.S.- and Israeli-designated terrorist group that "it will not get better — IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE."