Cautious Optimism in Washington... Gaza Ceasefire Talks Continue Today in Cairo

John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council at the White House, expressed cautious optimism from the United States regarding the ceasefire talks in Gaza during an interview with CNN. This comes as negotiations resumed in Doha on Wednesday, where delegations from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Israel met to discuss ways to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. The delegations will meet today, Thursday, in Cairo. It is noteworthy that Egypt and Qatar are leading mediation efforts in the ongoing 9-month war between Israel and Hamas, hoping to end the fighting and secure the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. There has been a shift in Hamas' stance on negotiations since Sunday. A Hamas official stated that they no longer condition a permanent ceasefire acceptance by Israel to begin negotiating a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Meanwhile, Israel insists that it will not accept any agreement that does not allow it to continue fighting and achieve its goal of eliminating Hamas.