Cease-Fire Talks Ignite New Hopes Amid Intensifying Gaza Conflict

Israel's Cabinet is set to review Hamas' latest response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. This comes amid heightened conflict with Hezbollah and ongoing diplomatic efforts. US officials consider the Hamas response constructive but needing more work. The war has caused massive casualties and displacement in Gaza.

Israel's Cabinet was poised to deliberate on Hamas' latest response to a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza on Thursday, as diplomatic channels revived efforts to end the nine-month war.

Meanwhile, conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah escalated, with Hezbollah launching over 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel following an Israeli airstrike that killed a senior commander.

The conflict, while relatively low-level, has heightened fears of a broader and more devastating war in the Middle East.