U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism about a ceasefire agreement in Gaza as Palestinian groups Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine announced significant progress in negotiations. They urged Israel to cease imposing new conditions and indicated that an agreement might be finalized soon, contingent on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cooperation. The ongoing conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, prompting calls for a resolution that includes prisoner exchanges and humanitarian considerations.