US says Israel hostage deal 'closer than ever'

A deal to release hostages taken from Israel during Hamas's attacks last month is "closer than ever before", according to a senior US official.

"We're hopeful... but there's still work to be done," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.

At a separate event, US President Joe Biden also said he believed an agreement was nearing.

An estimated 240 people were kidnapped in the 7 October Hamas attacks, during which 1,200 Israelis were killed.

Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said 13,000 people in Gaza have been...