U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy expressed optimism this week about brokering an agreement to halt the Israel-Hamas war and return more of the hostages captured in the attack that ignited it.

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Wednesday, and defence ties with Paris' biggest arms client in Southeast Asia are expected to be on the agenda.

More than 300 writers from the UK and Ireland have signed a letter calling for immediate aid and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Sources say Hamas agreed to a US plan for a 60-day truce and release of 10 captives, but Washington denies the claim.

Palestinian militant group Hamas on Thursday said it was examining a new deal proposed by a US envoy, as rescuers said at least 44 people were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip.Negotiations on a ceasefire to end 18 months of devastating war have yet to yield a breakthrough since Israel resumed operations in the war-ravaged territory in March after a brief truce.

Israel is facing growing international pressure as aid distribution efforts in Gaza devolved into chaos during the first days of a controversial new mechanism backed by the United States and Israel.

Witkoff to send new Gaza ceasefire proposal to Israel • Israel prepares to call up 450,000 soldiers amid mounting toll on reservists

As Hamas struggles to maintain control in Gaza, new aid mechanisms expose its governance failures, increasing public calls for an end to the war and for hostages' return.