Qatar claims slight progress towards ceasefire in Gaza

Qatar’s prime minister reported “a bit of progress” in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas now open to a deal involving hostages in exchange for a temporary truce. However, Israel remains firm on not withdrawing its forces from Gaza, where the death toll has surged to over 52,000 amid ongoing hostilities. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Hamas and expressed the PA’s readiness to govern Gaza post-conflict, despite longstanding divisions between the two factions.