International efforts are ongoing to secure a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after more than 10 months of war. Talks between officials from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar in Doha ended with optimism that a deal could be reached. Meanwhile, relatives and supporters of the Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza gathered for a protest in Tel Aviv, calling on the government to secure their release.
The father of one hostage emphasized the urgency of reaching a deal to prevent further conflict. The mediators presented a proposal to bridge the gaps between the two sides and plan to work out the details of implementation in Cairo next week. President Joe Biden’s phased ceasefire draft has garnered interest from both parties.
Although Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed cautious optimism about reaching a deal, Hamas stated that no progress had been made and accused mediators of “selling illusions”. The war, triggered by Hamas’ incursion into Israel, resulted in a significant death toll on both sides. Israel believes Hamas is holding around 110 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
Despite remaining differences between Israel and Hamas, the hope for a ceasefire agreement is strong. President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu believe they are closer than ever to reaching a deal. The international community continues to work towards a resolution to end the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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