"Progress Made in Hostage Deal to Temporarily Halt Israel-Hamas Conflict"

US negotiators are making progress on a potential two-month pause in Israeli military operations against Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the release of over 100 hostages captured in an October attack. The deal would involve two phases, with the first phase focusing on the release of women, elderly, and wounded hostages, and the second phase on the release of Israeli soldiers and civilian men. The emerging agreement also includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. CIA director Bill Burns is expected to discuss the deal in France, and President Biden has been in talks with Egyptian and Qatari leaders to address the hostage situation.