FLAGS of Israel and Hamas (Shutterstock).

A deal to release some of the hostages held by Hamas in order to achieve a cease-fire between that militant Muslim group and the Israeli government has apparently been reached.

The Associated Press is reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that some last-minute snags had been overcome and that his security Cabinet was poised to accept the deal.

According to sources, the agreement would create a 15-month cessation of hostilities – or at least, a pause – in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by the fighting would be able to return to the remains of their homes, said the AP.

The high human costs of the conflict was underscored by Israel airstrikes that killed at least 72 people in Gaza.

Filmmaker David Lynch dies at 78

DAVID LYNCH (Wikipedia).

One of the most visionary makers of motion pictures and television, David Lynch, had died at the age of 78. Lynch, a heavy cigarette smoker, was suffering from emphysema.

He directed widely-admired – but not always commercially successful – films like “Eraserhead,” “Dune,” “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive.”

He also directed the enigmatic TV series, “Twin Peaks.”

Lynch was born in 1946 in Missoula, Montana. His family soon moved to Boise Idaho and Spokane, Washington.

Winds did down, containment gains

Firefighters and residents in the path of the wild fires that ravaged areas of Los Angeles County got a break on Thursday as winds calmed, allowing some progress in stopping the growth of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires.

FIRES CONTINUE to burn across Los Angeles County (LA County Fire photo).

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Palisades fire was 22 percent contained by sunup, up from 19 percent the day before.

An estimated 23,713 acres have been burned, 1,280 homes destroyed and 10 lives lost.

The Eaton fire is said to be 55 percent contained Thursday morning, compared to 45 percent the day before.

The area burned is 14,117 acres, with 4,708 structures destroyed (and 679 damaged) and 17 lives lost.

Weather: Getting a bit colder

The outlook for our West Orange County cities for the next few days can be described as “jackets and possibly umbrellas.” The forecast for Friday is for a daytime high of 61 with an overnight low of 47 with a 12 percent chance of rain.

Saturday is expected to be a biscuit warmer at 63 (43). Skies should be partly cloudy. Sunday may be colder at 61 (46) with partly cloudy skies and a 6 percent chance of rain. Monday will be warmer at 66 (47) with partly cloudy skies and a 5 percent chance of rain.