Israel’s defense minister said he told the military to advance plans for what he called a “humanitarian city” built on the ruins of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to reports in Israeli media.

Israel Katz tells Israeli media the so-called "humanitarian city" in Rafah will eventually house 2.1 million Palestinians.

An initial IDF probe found that infantry soldiers on foot were hit by a roadside bomb in Beit Hanoun and came under fire while evacuating the wounded, the report added. The Qassam brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed the attack, describing it as a "well-planned ambush," in an Arabic statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday met for a second time in two days with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Gaza as Trump's Middle East envoy said Israel and Hamas were closing their differences on a ceasefire deal.

Israel and Hamas are believed to have agreed that 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others should be released during the first 60 days of a cease-fire, but they have not reached a consensus on how many Palestinian prisoners should be freed during the same period. Up to 20 hostages are still thought to be alive.

DOHA/JERUSALEM/GAZA (Reuters) -Israeli officials said on Tuesday that gaps can be bridged between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas at peace talks in Qatar, though it may take more than a few days to reach a deal to free hostages and halt fighting.

Israel’s military launched airstrikes targeting ports and facilities held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, with the rebels responding with missile fire targeting Israel. Monday's strikes came after

Renewed clashes between Israel and Yemen’s Houthis, and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, come amid talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza.