Hamas accepts US proposal on talks over Israeli hostages, Hamas source says

Hamas has agreed to engage in talks with the U.S. to release Israeli hostages, including soldiers and men, as part of an agreement to end the Gaza war. The group has dropped a demand for a permanent ceasefire prior to negotiations. Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release have intensified, with active diplomacy among Washington, Israel, and Qatar. Israeli forces have increased military strikes in Gaza, resulting in casualties.