News Wrap: Israel, Hamas nearing deal for partial hostage release, officials say

John Yang:

There are growing indications tonight that Israel and Hamas are close to a deal for the release of some of the roughly 240 hostages being held in Gaza, while officials warned that the talks could still fall apart. The outlines of an agreement call for Israel to pause fighting for multiple days to allow Hamas to move the hostages that would also allow for the distribution of humanitarian aid.

And this weekend, some of the most vulnerable Gaza residents are being taken out of harm's way.

John Yang (voice-over):

In a hospital near the Egyptian border, a safe haven for 31 babies said to be clinging to life, their conditions rapidly deteriorating. Humanitarian groups move them from Gaza cities Al-Shifa Hospital, the first leg of their journey to Egypt where they are to receive more specialized care.

Dr. Mohammad Zaqout, Director General Of Hospital, Palestinian Health Ministry (through translator):

These babies after weeks of suffering and difficult days of siege at Al-Shifa hospital were subjected to severe harm. We discovered that even the water with which their baby formula was made was polluted.

John Yang (voice-over):

The Israeli military seized Al-Sharif earlier this week, after visiting the hospital this weekend World Health Organization officials called it a death zone. The IDF has been searching for evidence to support its claim that the facility was a Hamas command and control center, which Hamas and hospital officials deny.

Today, Israeli officials released video of what they say as a 180 foot Hamas tunnel beneath Al-Shifa with a blast proof door at one end. The IDF also released security video from October 7, which it said shows Hamas terrorists dragging two hostages through Al-Shifa corridors, evidence they said that some hostages had been held there.

Meanwhile, officials sounded hopeful that there would soon be a deal to release some hostages. Deputy U.S. national security adviser Jonathan Finer on CNN State of the Union.

Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Adviser:

We think that we are closer than we have been perhaps at any point since these negotiations began weeks ago that there are areas of difference in disagreement that had been narrowed, if not closed out entirely.

John Yang (voice-over):

All the while Israel keeps up its aerial barrage of Gaza. After an airstrike on the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza, searchers comb the rubble for survivors.

Man (through translator):

We have a big problem pulling survivors. We are working with our two hands, there is no equipment.

John Yang:

In Argentina polls have closed and the tightly contested and closely watched presidential runoff election. Much of the attention is on far right Libertarian candidate Javier Milei who's brash style and embrace of conspiracy theories have drawn comparisons to Donald Trump.

Pre-election polls showed him at a dead heat with Sergio Massa, the center left Economy Minister, Argentina is in the midst of its worst economic crisis in decades, annual inflation is running above 140 percent.

Still to come on PBS News weekend, the conversation with Henry Winkler about his new memoir, and the story of the country's first major prima ballerina, a Native American from the Osage Nation.