U.S. denies report of Israel-Hamas deal to allow hostage release — but says talks continue

U.S. officials denied Saturday a report that a deal was reached between Hamas and Israel for the release of an unknown number of hostages held in Gaza — but said efforts to reach such an agreement are ongoing. “We have not reached a deal yet, but we continue to work hard to get to a deal,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said on X. Watson was responding to a report Saturday evening in The Washington Post saying Israel, the United States and Hamas had agreed to a pause in the Gaza war in return for Hamas’ release of women and children it is holding hostage. The agreement w...