The two sides appear closer than they have been in months to reaching an agreement that would bring home dozens of hostages being held in Gaza.

Israel and Hamas on Wednesday accused each other of obstructing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after Israel withdrew its negotiators from the talks the previous day. Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the refusal by the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region and warned that Pyongyang could send more personnel and equipment for Moscow's army.

The deaths underscore the squalid conditions in Gaza's sprawling camps, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are crammed into often ramshackle tents after fleeing Israel's bombardment and offensives.

Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages.

Palestinian media reported overnight three babies died of exposure and an Israeli strike killed five journalists in Gaza. NBC International Correspondent Hala Gorani and former Arab-Israeli Negotiator at the State Department,