Nir Oz Kibbutz issued a statement announcing the demise of Hanna Katzir. She and her son, Elad, were taken hostage by the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023



Former Israeli hostage held in Gaza dies a year after her release

A former Israeli hostage held by Hamas died due to illness on Tuesday (Dec 24). She was the first to lose her life after being released alongside several others who returned after a hostage exchange deal earlier.

Chances of Israel and Hamas reaching a phased hostage-ceasefire deal were "close to zero", a report in Times of Israel has claimed. There is "broad pessimism" among the Israeli negotiators regarding the deal, with the US also unlikely to present a new bridging proposal.

Israel-Hamas war: Chances of hostage-truce deal 'close to zero', US not to present bridging proposal - Report

Israel reportedly warned Egypt that this was the "last chance" for a hostage deal with Hamas before it attacked Rafah, Axios reported. On Friday (Apr 27), talks between Israeli officials and the Egyptian delegation to discuss Israel's upcoming offensive in Rafah and efforts to reach a hostage deal with Hamas came to an end.

Israel gives Egypt 'last chance' for hostage deal before Rafah attack

The Israel-Hamas war cabinet decided on Thursday to send a delegation to Paris on Friday for crucial negotiations on a hostage agreement and related ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Israel-hamas war: PM Netanyahu sends Israeli team to Paris for hostage talks