The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 12,300, including 5,000 children, amid Israel's persistent air strikes following Hamas' attack in southern Israel on October 7, according to the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza. In Israel, the official death toll stands at about 1,200.

Israel, the United States and Hamas are close to an agreement that would free dozens of women and children held hostage in Gaza, in exchange for a five-day pause in fighting, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.

Read more
U.S., Israel and Hamas reach tentative deal to pause conflict: Washington Post