Biden Administration Pursues Phased Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Involving Aid and Hostage Releases
• U.S. negotiators making progress on potential 2-month pause in Israel-Hamas fighting in exchange for release of over 100 hostages • Deal would happen in 2 phases - first fighting stops & remaining hostages freed; then aim to release Israeli soldiers & men • Deal calls for allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza • CIA Director Burns traveling to France for talks with intelligence officials about deal contours • Biden administration cautious but views hostage deal as key to achieving prolonged ceasefire & getting aid to Gaza