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Diplomats are expressing cautious optimism that an agreement is within reach.
Mediators worked on Wednesday to finalize a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that would release hostages held in Gaza and halt fighting in the devastating war.
Neither Israeli nor Hamas officials have publicly confirmed their position on the cease-fire proposal. Israeli and U.S. officials have said they were waiting for a final response from Hamas.
The Palestinian group said on Tuesday that the negotiations had entered the “final stages.” But there were still doubts about whether both sides would ultimately agree, after earlier talks failed to secure a deal.
What is the state of the talks?
The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, said on Tuesday that Israel and Hamas were “right on the brink” of agreeing to a deal to pause the fighting in Gaza and release hostages held there in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.
He and diplomats from other mediating countries, including Qatar and Egypt, have for months failed to reach a breakthrough in talks, but they have made progress quickly in recent weeks.
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