NBC News-Israel Agrees On Hostage Deal, Could Pave Way To Ceasefire

NBC News reporting that Israel has agreed to a framework on a hostage deal that could set the stage for a phased ceasefire if Hamas also signs up. NBC: "Negotiators from Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Qatar agreed in Paris on a framework for a new hostage deal, a source familiar with the talks tells NBC News. The deal would see the release of the remaining American and Israeli hostages in phases [...], accompanied by phased pauses in the fighting and aid deliveries to Gaza along with the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the source said. A draft is being presented to Hamas today, they added. In the past the militant group has been insisting on an immediate permanent cease-fire first, which would be a deal-breaker. The negotiators were the prime minister of Qatar and the leaders of the other countries' intelligence agencies. "

• Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani is due to speak at an Atlantic Council event later today at 1200ET/1700GMT/1800CET. His comments will be closely watched due to his participation in the Paris talks.
• Any sustained ceasefire in Gaza could aid a de-escalation in tensions elsewhere in the region, with Iranian backed militias in Iraq having largely ceased attacks on US-linked facilities in the Levant during the prior ceasefire. Houthi rebels in Yemen have also said their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are linked to the Israel-Hamas war, with a ceasefire raising the prospect of a halt to the Houthi attacks.