US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Wednesday to push for a crucial ceasefire deal as the conflict with Hamas extends into its fifth month.

Blinken's visit comes after stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar as part of a diplomatic tour to address the crisis in the Middle East.

Qatar, which mediated a temporary ceasefire earlier in the conflict, reported that Hamas had responded positively to a new proposed agreement to halt the fighting.

"The response includes some comments, but overall, it is positive," stated Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani after meeting Blinken in Doha.

Hamas confirmed delivering its response to proposals discussed a week ago in Paris between Qatar and other mediators.

Blinken mentioned that Hamas's response had been shared with Israel and that he would further discuss it during his visit.

Despite acknowledging that there's "a lot of work to be done," Blinken expressed optimism, believing that reaching an agreement is not only possible but necessary.

Israel's intelligence agency Mossad also received the Hamas response, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, which stated that the details are under thorough evaluation.

While Netanyahu has not directly commented on the response, he asserted on Tuesday, "We are on the way to total victory, and we will not stop."

Pressure for a ceasefire escalates as Israeli forces advance towards Rafah, a town on Gaza's southern border with Egypt, where a significant portion of the population seeks refuge.

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office OCHA, emphasized the risk of intensified hostilities in Rafah, warning of potential large-scale civilian casualties.

Escalating Violence Takes Toll

The conflict erupted when Hamas launched unprecedented attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,160 casualties, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

In response, Israel initiated airstrikes and a ground offensive, resulting in at least 27,585 deaths in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.

The ongoing campaign has ravaged Gaza, destroying infrastructure, displacing half of its 2.4 million inhabitants, and causing severe shortages of essential supplies.

Heavy fighting persisted on Tuesday, with Gaza's health ministry reporting at least 107 fatalities within 24 hours, including six policemen securing an aid truck in Rafah.

Amidst the conflict, Safia Marouf, a displaced resident seeking refuge in Rafah, expressed fear for her family's safety and uncertainty about their future.

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

Following his meeting with Blinken in Doha, Qatari Premier Al-Thani expressed optimism about the ceasefire prospects but refrained from divulging details of Hamas's response due to the sensitive nature of the situation.

Last week, a Hamas source disclosed that the proposed ceasefire entails a six-week pause for a hostage-prisoner exchange and increased aid for Gaza.

However, Netanyahu rejected Hamas's demands for a prisoner exchange involving thousands of detainees, intensifying pressure on him to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages.

The United States has provided staunch support to Israel while advocating measures to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.

Amid regional turmoil, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have experienced heightened violence, with Iran-backed groups launching attacks in solidarity with Palestinians, triggering retaliatory strikes by Israel and its allies.

The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military operations and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire in the region.

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