hoping to make progress on a deal to pause# the war in Gaza and release Israeli hostages.

The Biden administration hopes# that deal could lead to larger## diplomatic initiatives across the# region.

But how realistic is Ni ck Schifrin takes a closer look.

NICK SCHIFRIN: In the heart of Gaza City, in# ne Israeli soldiers fight courtyard to# courtyard and floor by floor.

They have## been assaulting this city for months,# but Hamas militants still fight back.

The fiercest combat is in the south in Khan Yunis,## a city of half-a-million that is increasingly# fi defense forces said soldiers raided# a booby-trapped training facility for## Hamas' October 7 terrorist attacks.

Israel says# it has now destroyed 18 of Hamas 24 on its way to what Prime Minister Netanyahu# called Israel's unchangeable military goal.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli Prime Minister# (through translator): Total victory is essential,## because it ensures the security way in which we can ensure additional# historic peace agreements which await.

NICK SCHIFRIN: But the first agreement has to# be between Israel and Hamas.

Israel's agreed## to stop the war for six weeks in exchange# for Hamas' releasing 30 to 35 older women## and children.

The other 100 or so hostages# would be released over at least two more## phases.

Hamas says it's considering# the outline and would respond soon.

Until the guns stop, back in Khan# Yunis, Palestinians such as Hussam## Ahmed Abu-Haitham return home, despite the# risk of being shot.

He salvages what he can.

HUSSAM AHMED ABU-HAITHAM, Displaced Gazan (through# translator): We came here yesterday and came here## today to get what is left over from our homes.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Local hospitals are# mostly destroyed, so Palestinian Red## Crescent workers operate out of tents# doing what they can to treat inju Ibrahim Abu-Alkas is a paramedic.

IBRAHIM ABU-ALKAS, Red Crescent Paramedic# (through translator): The free people of the## world need a collective and especially the medical teams# that are daily subjected to murder or injury.

NICK SCHIFRIN: And Gazans don't have# enough humanitarian aid.

Rafah now hosts## more than a million people, nearly half# the Gaza Strip.

At this charity kitchen,## the lines are long and supply is limited.

AYESHA ABU AL-KHAIR, Displaced Gazan (through# translator): We ask the president of the United## States to help the people of Ga should look at how much the people are struggling# to get a plate of food or a loaf of bread.

NICK SCHIFRIN: Increasing aid to Gaza is one of# Secretary of State Antony Blinken's goals on his## fifth trip to the Middle East since October.

He# met for nearly two hours with Saudi Crown Prince## Mohammed bin Salman, who still holds out the# promise of diplomatic normalization with Israel.