News about Qatar, Israel

The military in a short statement says it "clarifies that there is no truth to the rumors about the return of hostages in recent hours." Rumors had circulated on social media today claiming that the bodies of hostages had been recovered from the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking to troops in southern Gaza's Rafah, says Israel is actively working to return the hostages held by the Hamas terror group, both "physically and also by reaching deals." "Our goal[s] in the Gaza Strip have become much clearer here in… pic.twitter.com/zhIMT6PmRa

Since the beginning of the Rafah campaign, Hamas has increased its psychological warfare aimed primarily at the Israeli public and Western audiences. Hamas has published numerous videos aimed at undermining the Israeli gov and provoking the families of hostages. Many of these… pic.twitter.com/ZJwpx3AlGf

A meeting in Paris on Friday between CIA director Bill Burns, the director of Israel's Mossad and Qatar's prime minister made progress toward the possible resumption of Gaza hostage negotiations, U.S. and Israeli officials said. My story on @axios www.axios.com/2024/05/25/hostage-negotiations-hamas-israel-cia