West Asia Updates: Hamas Likely To Release 33 Israeli Hostages In Phase 1; Missile Fired By Houthi Rebels Targets Central Israel | Details Photo- AP/File West Asia Updates: Hamas Likely To Release 33 Israeli Hostages In Phase 1; Missile Fired By Houthi Rebels Targets Central Israel | Details Photo- AP/File

As per the latest reports by the news agency Reuters, Hamas said the negotiation talks had reached the final steps and that it hoped this round of negotiations would lead to a deal.

A Palestinian source close to the talks told Reuters he expected the deal to be finalised on Tuesday if "all goes well".

Meanwhile, an Israeli official said that talks had reached a critical phase although some details needed to be hammered out: "We are close, we are not there yet".

A final draft of a deal was given to both sides on Monday. As per the proposed agreement, Hamas is likely to turn over 33 Israeli hostages before the Trump administration takes over.

The Israeli government believes that Hamas and its allies still hold 94 hostages taken from Israel during the October 7, 2023, attack.

US President Joe Biden said a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas was on "the brink" of coming to fruition, and Hamas said it was keen on reaching an agreement, Reuters reported.

The deal would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel, and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started," Biden said in a speech to highlight his foreign policy achievements.

Meanwhile, a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early on Tuesday, sounding sirens and causing people to flee into bomb shelters.

Here are the latest updates on the West Asia War:

Gaza Truce Deal: Hamas Likely To Release 33 Israeli Hostages In Phase 1

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in the first phase of the ceasefire-hostages agreement being negotiated in Doha in relation to the situation in Gaza, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing two Israeli officials.

Israel believes most of the 33 hostages are alive, although some deceased hostages may also be included in the initial release.

Hamas and its allies still hold 94 hostages, including at least 34 who are believed to be dead, following the October 7, 2023, attacks.

The parties appear close to finalising the agreement, and Israel is ready to implement it immediately after it is signed.

A diplomat involved in the talks stated that a final round of discussions is scheduled in Doha on Tuesday.

Read More | Gaza War: Hamas Ready To Free 34 Hostages In First Phase Of Ceasefire, Claim Reports

This release would mark the first phase of the agreement, as negotiations for the second phase, aimed at ending the war, are set to begin on the 16th day of the deal's implementation.

"The latest proposals include Israeli forces maintaining a presence along the Philadelphi Corridor on the Egypt-Gaza border during the first phase, and negotiations over the size of a buffer zone inside Gaza have also been a point of contention. While Hamas wants a zone of 300-500 meters from the border, Israel is seeking a 2,000-meter zone," as reported by CNN.

The plan also includes allowing residents of northern Gaza to return but with unspecified security measures in place, and Palestinian prisoners linked to the killing of Israelis would not be released into the West Bank but instead to Gaza or other countries, CNN reported, citing the Israeli official.

As per CNN, the breakthrough in the talks occurred late Sunday during the meeting between Israeli Mossad Director David Barnea and mediators in Doha. An Israeli official stated that an agreement could be imminent, but it must first pass through Israel's security and government cabinets and allow time for potential challenges in the Supreme Court.

Ji-Hyun Yan scored the only South Korean goal that came in the 30th minute of the clash. 

"There is talk of an agreement in the near future—it is impossible to say whether it is a matter of hours or days," the official said, as quoted by CNN.

While there is growing optimism, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged caution and reiterated its commitment to bringing all hostages home.

Missile Fired By Yemen's Houthi Rebels Targets Central Israel, People Flee Into Bomb Shelters

A missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted central Israel early on Tuesday, sounding sirens and causing people to flee into bomb shelters.

The Israeli military said, "Several attempts were made to intercept a missile that was launched from Yemen." It later said, "The missile was likely intercepted."

The Magen David Adom emergency service in Israel said there were no injuries from the missile or falling debris, though some suffered injuries when running to shelters.

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The Houthis were blamed for another missile attack on Monday night. Israel's military said it intercepted that missile before it entered Israeli territory.

Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who have held Yemen's capitalhot646, Sanaa, since 2014, have launched direct attacks on Israel and some 100 commercial ships as part of their campaign over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The rebels did not immediately acknowledge the attack, though it can take hours or even days for them to claim an assault.

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