Plus: Meet this year's BBC 100 women, and a rare Bansky interview is dug out of audio archives.
| | | | | | | Hello. Today we're focusing on a potential hostage deal in Gaza, after the leader of Hamas said a truce deal with Israel was "close". Our live page will have all the updates, keeping in mind it's not the first time such an agreement has appeared possible since the October 7 attacks. Further down this email, check who’s made our annual list of 100 influential women from around the world, and listen to a rare interview with the secretive artist Banksy. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | Hamas leader says truce deal is 'close' | | | | There are thought to be about 240 people being held hostage by Hamas. Credit: EPA |
| | Multiple reports and statements from Qatar, Hamas and US officials - including Joe Biden - are raising hopes of a hostage deal in Gaza. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said overnight the group was close to reaching a "truce agreement" with Israel. Such a deal could see Hamas returning hostages in exchange for Israel's release of jailed Palestinians, according to sources indirectly involved in the negotiations. The Hamas leader had met in Qatar with the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross - another positive sign, in the analysis of our security correspondent Frank Gardner. Crucially, Israel has still not commented on the reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dealing with increasing pressure from families of the hostages. Some of them expressed anger after meeting the Israeli war cabinet in Tel Aviv on Monday night, arguing retrieving their loved ones should be prioritised over Israel's objective to destroy Hamas. | | • | Tensions at the Knesset: A meeting between Israeli politicians and relatives of hostages descended into shouting on Monday. Here's a clip of the confrontation. | | • | Analysing Israel's evidence: My BBC Verify colleagues have looked into the footage shared by Israeli forces of what they say are Hamas tunnels and abducted hostages in Al-Shifa hospital. Watch their video report. | | • | The latest: Israel's army says it has surrounded the northern Gaza city of Jabalia. The territory's Hamas-run health ministry says 13,300 people, including more than 5,500 children, have been killed since the 7 October, when Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people in Israel. Follow our updates live. |
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| | | | | | World headlines | | • | Musk lawsuit: Elon Musk's social media platform X has sued the left-leaning pressure group Media Matters, after it accused the site of allowing antisemitic posts next to advertising. | | • | Indian tunnel collapse: A camera has captured footage of the 41 workers trapped for nine days in a tunnel in Uttarakhand state. The rescue operation has faced delays but could end this week. See the video. | | • | Cosmetic surgery: The UK government has said it will meet officials in Turkey to discuss regulation around medical tourism, after a coroner raised concerns about the death of a British woman in Istanbul during "Brazilian butt-lift" surgery. | | • | Extreme heat: Brazil has recorded its hottest ever temperature - 44.8C (112.6F) - as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave. The record has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change. | | • | As if it's your last: Blackpink fans anxiously await the K-Pop band's fate after the contract between the four superstars and their label YG Entertainment came to an end. |
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| | AT THE SCENE | Gaza and Israel | | The star defender stuck in Gaza | | The Palestinian football team is due to play Australia, in Kuwait, on Tuesday. But far from being able to train for the World Cup qualifier, some players have been trapped by war, living with the threat of being killed. | | | | Yogita Limaye and Amr Tabash, BBC News |
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| | The rumble of continuous bombardment is a far cry from the sound of cheering fans that Ibrahim Abuimeir is used to. Ibrahim had a narrow escape. An air strike hit his neighbour's home on October 30. The impact also destroyed Ibrahim's house. Seventeen of his neighbours were killed. "We found only one of the bodies intact. Two are still under the rubble," Ibrahim said. The footballers say they are grateful to have survived so far, but it is a bleak life without the sport they love. "I'm heartbroken. Getting the chance to participate in the World Cup would have been significant," said Ibrahim. "Football is my whole life." |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | Meet this year's BBC 100 women | | | | The list includes photographer Arati Kumar-Rao, deaf performer Justina Miles and Olympic sprinter Camila Pirelli. Credit: BBC |
| | The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2023. You might recognize some familiar faces, but the list also celebrates less famous women, including some who have been working to help their communities tackle climate change. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | Low-cost snub | | The cost of flying is soaring but Americans aren't switching to budget airlines. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | One of the few interviews ever made with the world's most secretive living artist has been collecting dust on a minidisc for 20 years. But when Nigel Wrench heard about the BBC's podcast on Banksy, the former arts correspondent unearthed the recording from his personal archives. Their chat gives us insights on his ethics of vandalism, and new clues on his real identity. Have a listen. |
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– Jules |
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