From hostage talks in Gaza showing signs of life to high-stakes naval deployments in the Arctic, today’s headlines cut across flashpoints old and new. Maritime tensions flare in the Red Sea, Ukraine rebuilds under fire,

Hamas on Wednesday said it would release 10 hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire talks after Israel struck an upbeat note about the prospects for a deal to stop the fighting in the embattled Palestinian territory.

Negotiators make progress on closing gaps regarding aid and IDF withdrawal, but will need US president's help to bridge key dispute on whether deal will permanently end war

The talks, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have reportedly stalled over two major sticking points: how humanitarian aid would be distributed during the ceasefire and whether Israeli forces would withdraw from areas of Gaza currently under military control.

Source familiar with the details told i24NEWS on Wednesday that after the submission of the new Israeli proposal "significant progress was made on the way to a deal"

Hamas releases 10 hostages in Gaza peace talks with Israel. Negotiations continue, focusing on aid, troop withdrawal, and ceasefire guarantees

The deal comes more than 20 months into the conflict -- and more than three months after a previous deal ended.