Israel-Hamas war cease-fire talks: U.S. sees 'breakthrough'

A "breakthrough" has been made in efforts to negotiate a framework agreement for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that might end months of fighting in Gaza and lead to the release of hostages, a senior Biden administration official said Thursday.

A "breakthrough" has been made in efforts to negotiate a framework agreement for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas that might end months of fighting in Gaza and lead to the release of hostages, a senior Biden administration official said Thursday.

"We've had a breakthrough on a critical impasse," the official said on a media briefing call, attributing the development to a shift in Hamas' stance on a framework deal, which the official said was now "fully consistent" with the U.S.-drafted agreement passed by the United Nations Security Council last month.

"Now we’re on to the implementation steps," the official said.

If a deal is reached, it would bring an end to nearly nine months of fighting in Gaza, where local health officials say more than 38,000 people have been killed. It would also mean hostages — taken captive during Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were kidnapped, according to Israeli officials — would be released.

A cease-fire agreement could also curb tensions at Israel's northern border with Lebanon as Israeli forces continue to trade fire with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The fighting there has sparked growing fears of a broader conflict.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-hamas-war-cease-fire-talks-us-breakthrough-rcna160368

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