Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu signals ceasefire deal could be shaping up as deaths top 39,000

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signalled that a ceasefire deal that would free dozens of hostages from captivity in Gaza could be taking shape. Netanyahu is in Washington, where he was to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The ordered the evacuation of part of a crowded area in the Gaza Strip it had designated a humanitarian zone, while the Health Ministry in Gaza says over 39,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the nine-month war.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States are pushing Israel and Hamas toward a phased deal that would stop the fighting and free the remaining hostages. Netanyahu’s office has said a negotiating team will be sent to continue talks Thursday.

The military said a drone struck militants in the area of the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem overnight into Tuesday, killing Ashraf Nafa, who the military said was a local senior Hamas operative. It said another alleged militant, Mohammed Awad, was also killed in the raid, and said both had been behind attacks on Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military statement did not mention the woman killed.

There was no immediate claim from Hamas or other militant groups surrounding the men’s affiliations.

For several years, the Israeli military has been carrying out near-nightly raids in the West Bank that intensified when the war in Gaza erupted. The Palestinian Health Ministry says more than 500 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing violence, many of them in clashes with Israeli soldiers but others while throwing stones or protesting. People not involved in confrontations have also been killed.

Palestinian attacks against Israelis have been on the rise in the territory.