"Hamas Considers Hostage Deal and Ceasefire in Israel Conflict"

Hamas is considering a proposal for a multi-staged deal that includes pauses in Israel's military operations in Gaza and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but it does not meet the group's previous conditions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the war until Israel secured "absolute victory" over Hamas. Meanwhile, the US military continues attacks on combat assets in Yemen, and an Iran-backed militia in Iraq said it will continue targeting American troops in the Middle East. Israel's military is turning its focus on the overcrowded city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where more than 1 million civilians have sought refuge from bombardment and ground combat.