Egypt sees hope of a new ceasefire: Israeli officials seem more willing to reach a new agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian hostages in exchange for the release of more Hamas-held hostages, Reuters reports, citing what it says are two Egyptian security officials. Meanwhile, the head of Israel’s intelligence agency on Friday met with the Qatari prime minister, who has also served as a mediator. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu refused to comment on the matter, saying that he wouldn’t relay information to Hamas.

Netenyahu refuses to slow down: The Israeli Prime Minister said during a speech yesterday that he would continue the war on Gaza “until victory,” reiterating the Israeli plan to demilitarize Gaza and put it under Israel control after the war.

BUT: Washington is urging Israel to be more targeted with its operations — and to wrap up its war in Gaza by year’s end.

ANOTHER AID CORRIDOR

AID- Another aid doorway opens: The Israeli government has temporarily opened the Kerem Shalom crossing for aid deliveries into Gaza seeing as the Rafah crossing can only accommodate the entry of 100 trucks a day — half of the agreed upon amount. “The US has pledged to finance the upgrading of the Rafah crossing as quickly as possible” so that it becomes capable of handling all aid deliveries and become the sole aid delivery point between Egypt and Gaza, the Israeli government said.

BY THE NUMBERS-

QUICK UPDATES- At least 18,787 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October, the majority of them women and children | An Israeli strike killed a Palestinian Al Jazeera cameraman, pushing the total number of journalists killed during the war to 64 | It was one of the more violent days between Israel and Hezbollah since the war began (watch, runtime: 5:09).

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