‘Very serious’ ceasefire negotiations in Gaza face impasse | First Thing

Hamas has said it will not discuss releasing more hostages until Israel ends its war, while Israel has vowed to continue to the end'. Plus, the women who fought back against a couch-surfing predator

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Good morning.

The US has said very serious" negotiations are taking place in Egypt on a new Gaza ceasefire and for the release of more Israeli hostages, but prospects for a deal remain uncertain as Hamas has reportedly insisted it will not discuss anything less than a complete end to Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory.

How many Palestinians are being held in Israel? More than 8,000 Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails, according to human rights groups.

What has the French president said about Israel's actions? Emmanuel Macron has said that Israel's goal of fighting terrorism did not mean it had to flatten Gaza", referring to its response to Hamas's attack on 7 October. We cannot let the idea take root that an efficient fight against terrorism implies to flatten Gaza or attack civilian populations indiscriminately," Macron told the broadcaster France 5.

What has Joe Biden said about the Colorado ruling? The president said it was self-evident" that Donald Trump was an insurrectionist, adding he would not comment on the legal arguments or any likely intervention of the US supreme court.