Netanyahu, Biden speak on ceasefire and hostage deal

For the first time in months, Israeli sources are expressing cautious optimism that a Gaza ceasefire may be within reach before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

Officials close to the matter told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad -- David Barnea -- arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a critical round of talks.

Others participating are Egyptian and U.S. officials including President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Middle East adviser, Steven Witkoff, and President Joe Biden's outgoing adviser, Brett McGurk.

Witkoff made a surprise visit to Israel Saturday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Israel's Channel 12, progress on some issues has been made -- including the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the details of the Israel Defense Forces' redeployment.

But some outstanding issues remain, including whether Hamas can provide Israel with a list of hostages who are alive. A Hamas official told Saudi media on Saturday that the group is ready to show flexibility.

The first phase of the deal is expected to last six to eight weeks, as the report suggests. A leaked hostage list by Hamas shows the names of two Americans to be released in the first phase. Seven Americans are among the 94 hostages, three of whom are presumed to still be alive.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Somayeh Malekian

Eight people were killed, including two children and two women, in an Israeli forces strike on a school sheltering displaced people in Jabalia, North Gaza, according to Gaza Civil Defense. Thirty people were injured in the strike, according to the Gaza Civil Defense

The Israel Defense Forces claimed the strike was targeting "terrorists in a command and control center" at the school.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Anna Burd

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today met with President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

Exact details about the prime minister's meeting with the real estate investor, who does not need Senate approval for his appointment, were not immediately revealed.

Netanyahu's office also said the prime minister "held a situation assessment this evening on the issue of hostages with the Minister of Defense, the heads of the security establishment, and with the negotiators on behalf of the outgoing and incoming American administrations."

"At the end of the discussion, the Prime Minister instructed the head of the Mossad, the head of the Shin Bet, Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, and the political advisor Ofir Falk to depart for Doha in order to continue promoting a deal for the release of our hostages," the office said in a statement.

-ABC News' Anna Burd

Lebanese Armed Forces chief Joseph Aoun was chosen Thursday to be the country’s next leader.

Aoun’s election came after 12 failed attempts to choose a new president. He will now fill a head of state post left empty for more than two years amid political deadlock and myriad crises.

Aoun received 71 out of 128 votes in the first round of voting, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to clinch the role. Aoun won 99 votes in the second round.

Lawmakers committed to a fresh attempt to fill the presidential role following the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which saw serious damage done to the capital Beirut and the south of the country.

Iran-backed Hezbollah also suffered materiel and personnel losses, its powerful leader Hassan Nasrallah among those killed during the fighting.

Hezbollah backed Suleiman Frangieh -- the leader of a Christian party in northern Lebanon with ties to former Syrian President Bashar Assad -- in the contest. Frangieh withdrew from the race on Wednesday, leaving Aoun as the likely victor.