GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories — A Hamas official said on Sunday that the Palestinian militant group was ready to free 34 hostages in the "first phase" of a potential deal with Israel, after the Jewish state said indirect talks on a truce and hostage release agreement had resumed in Qatar.
Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have tried for months to strike a deal to end the war. The latest effort comes just days before Donald Trump retakes office as US president on Jan. 20.
