Negotiations underway for three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza – officials

The number of Palestinians killed in the war passed 10,500, including more than 4,300 children, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said.

Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip as they press ahead with their war against Hamas militants (Ohad Zwigenberg/ AP)

Negotiations are underway to reach a three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of about a dozen hostages held by Hamas.

That is according to two officials from Egypt, one from the United Nations and a Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic efforts.