CIA director to meet with Israel and Qatar representatives over hostage deadlock

What we know

• Qatar has said it was appalled by leaked comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disparaging its role as a mediator with Hamas. In a meeting with hostages' families, Netanyahu reportedly said the Gulf state's role as a broker with the militant group was “problematic.” Qatar said that was “irresponsible and destructive,” but a Qatari official told NBC News today that the country “would never jeopardize” hostage talks.
• CIA Director William Burns is set to meet with Qatar's prime minister and the director of Mossad this weekend in an effort to secure a hostage release deal, a diplomat with knowledge of the plans said.
• The International Court of Justice is expected to rule tomorrow on South Africa’s request for the United Nations court to order a temporary cease-fire in Gaza while a full case accusing Israel of genocide is heard. An Israeli government spokesperson said he expected the case to be tossed out.
• The United Nations said a shelter housing thousands of displaced civilians in Gaza was hit by tank shells, killing at least 12 people amid intensified fighting in the area. Israel has denied responsibility for the strike in the southern city of Khan Younis, and it said it is investigating whether Hamas was behind the explosion. The U.S. denounced the deadly attack and emphasized the need to protect civilians.
• Houthi naval forces claimed to have directly hit a U.S. warship in the Red Sea yesterday, forcing two merchant ships to ''retreat.'' The U.S. said that it shot down two of the three missiles and that there were no injuries or damage from the latest attack by the Iran-backed militants.
• More than 25,700 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 63,700 have been injured, and thousands more are missing and presumed dead.
• Israeli military officials said at least 219 soldiers have been killed during the ground invasion of Gaza. About 1,200 people were killed and about 240 hostages were taken after Hamas launched multipronged attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.
• NBC News’ Richard Engel, Raf Sanchez, Matt Bradley, Chantal Da Silva, Anna Schecter and Ali Arouzi are reporting from the region.