Israel says it's open to short truce in Gaza but continues with strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he's open to a short truce in the country's war with Hamas that would lead to the release of a small number of the around 100 hostages still held by the militant group in Gaza.

Netanyahu's remarks followed a meeting between his top negotiator and senior Qatari and US officials in Doha on Monday, aimed at reviving stalled cease-fire talks following Israel's killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar this month. Discussions centered on a plan proposed by Egypt, one of the mediators between the warring sides.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Sunday proposed a two-day suspension of hostilities and the freeing of four hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.


DEADLY STRIKES
Israeli forces launched deadly strikes on Lebanon and Gaza on Monday, pressing their offensive against militants after Egypt's president proposed a two-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war.

There was no comment from either Israel or Hamas on the plan unveiled Sunday by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, but Israeli media said spy chief David Barnea was in Qatar for renewed talks on a hostage release deal.

More than a year into the war unleashed when Palestinian armed group Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Israel in its history on October 7, 2023, there was no let up in the violence.

Iran, which supports Hamas but has largely avoided a direct confrontation with arch-foe Israel, warned it would "respond firmly and effectively" to Israeli strikes on military sites over the weekend.

The war has drawn in Tehran-backed allies of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, where strikes hit the southern port of Tyre on Monday. The Lebanese health ministry said at least seven people were killed when Israel struck the city centre. The ministry said at least 17 more people were wounded as rescue workers were racing to pull more survivors.