International efforts are ongoing to secure a ceasefire agreement to end the 10-month war between Israel and Hamas, with officials from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar expressing optimism after talks in Doha. Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are calling for the government to secure their release, gathering at Hostages Square with pictures of their loved ones.
Eli Albag, the father of one of the hostages, highlighted the urgency for a deal to prevent further escalation into a full-scale war. Despite the ongoing negotiations, both sides remain divided over terms and details of the agreement, with Hamas claiming on Saturday that mediators were not making progress.
President Joe Biden’s proposed phased ceasefire draft has been met with interest from both parties, with Biden expressing optimism on reaching a deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also expressed cautious optimism, although significant hurdles remain.
The war, triggered by Hamas’ incursion into Israel last October, has resulted in over 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and 40,000 casualties in Gaza. Israel claims Hamas is still holding around 110 hostages and the remains of over 30 others. International mediators are expected to work out the details of a possible deal in Cairo next week, as hopes for a ceasefire agreement remain high.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com
