**Israel-Hamas Talks Nearing a Deal**
Talks between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire are 90% complete, according to the BBC. The negotiations include the release of hostages and other key issues.
The main problem is Israel’s continued presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border. A Palestinian official said that if this issue was resolved, a three-stage ceasefire could be agreed within days.
**Key Points of the Deal**
* The exchange of 20 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier released
* Israel would maintain a military presence in a buffer zone along the Israel-Gaza border
* Gazan civilians could return to the north under Egyptian and Qatari oversight
* Aid trucks would enter Gaza each day, with around 500 trucks expected
**Hostage Situation**
Hamas is still searching for some missing hostages. Israel believes that 62 of the 96 hostages are still alive.
**Next Steps**
The final phase of the three-stage plan would see Gaza overseen by a group of technocrats without political affiliations, but with support from all Palestinian factions.
Read More @ www.bbc.com