Middle East conflict live updates: U.N. leaders outline steps to salvage aid response in Gaza

Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, said in a news briefing that efforts are being made to promote a new hostage deal and that there are “promising early signs of possible progress.” Asked to comment on Gantz’s remarks, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, “We do think that there is space to reach an agreement here.”

The Gaza Health Ministry accused Israeli forces of delaying the evacuation of 110 patients from Nasser Hospital, the site of a multiday raid by the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The World Food Program said it would halt food deliveries to northern Gaza, citing deteriorating safety conditions for aid workers. It added that staff “witnessed unprecedented levels of desperation” during recent delivery missions.

U.S. Central Command carried out four “self-defense strikes” against seven anti-ship cruise missiles and a ballistic launcher operated by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. A one-way attack drone was also shot down to protect merchant ships in international waters, Centcom said on social media.

At least 29,313 people have been killed in Gaza and 69,333 injured since the war began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and says 238 soldiers have been killed since the start of its military operation in Gaza.