Gaza Conflict: Israel, Hamas close to hostage release deal, says Biden

When questioned about a potential agreement at the White House on Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters, “I believe so,” indicating that he thought a deal to secure the release of some of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza was imminent.

On October 7, Hamas launched a devastating cross-border raid into Israel, seizing some 240 hostages in the process. This led Israel to attack the little enclave in order to eradicate the Islamist terrorist group.

According to Israeli counts, the Hamas assault claimed the lives of about 1,200 people, the majority of whom were civilians. It was the worst day in Israel’s 75-year history.

Since then, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 13,000 Palestinians, including at least 5,500 children, according to the Hamas-run government in Gaza.

Despite the continuous fighting, Israel hopes that a sizable number of captives held by Hamas will be freed “in coming days,” according to Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, who spoke with ABC News on Sunday.

(With agency inputs)