Israel Gaza live news: UK PM says hospital blast likely caused by missile launched from Gaza

October 23, 2023

A source familiar with the progress of the Hamas hostage release talks being brokered by Qatar told me earlier that negotiations to get more people freed from Gaza had entered a "serious stage". They said "intense and focused" talks through a Qatari mediator and involving the US were ongoing, to build on Friday's release of two US citizens. Responding to reports that Hamas might trade foreign hostages in return for a ceasefire, a senior official in the Israeli government responded: “A ceasefire is ridiculous! It's like asking the US for a ceasefire after 9/11 - and this is 20 times worse." In its latest count, Israel estimated that 222 people are being held by Hamas in Gaza.