Even as the U.S. state Department expresses optimism about the possibility of a ceasefire in the West Asia conflict, clouds of war continue to hover over the region, and the human cost of war keeps on rising. According to Palestinian health officials, Israel's military onslaught in Gaza has killed almost 44,000 people. On the other hand, at least 799 Israeli soldiers, officers and reservists have been killed in the retaliation launched following the October 8 Hamas massacre. In the latest. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new Defense Minister Israel Katz met with troops at an undisclosed location in Gaza on Tuesday, Netanyahu has announced financial rewards and a way out of the territory for Palestinians who would help to release the remaining hostages. NDTV World's Arjun Samar Mahendran gets you more.