More on the Bbc News Website and app. Hello, im martine croxhall. The us secretary of State Antony Blinken is travelling to Middle East as cautious optimism grows amongst israeli negotiators about the possibility of reaching a deal on gaza. It comes after president biden said that a Ceasefire Deal was closer than ever. But senior hamas figures have dismissed such optimism as an illusion. Meanwhile, there have been more israeli Air Strikes in Gaza And Israel also said it had struck targets inside neighbouring lebanon. The us feels the stakes are so high with the threat of an all out regional conflict that wider peace is essential. Thats according to our Middle East correspondent, sebastian usher. Lets take a listen. I think we have got three messages coming out in a way from the us, very strong, very urgent, very much pushing the ceasefire negotiations. They have broken down a number of times before. But i think the us feels the stakes are so high this time with the threat of a regional
Hello, im catherine byaruhanga. The us secretary Of State Antony Blinken has arrived in israel on his 9th visit to the region since the war in gaza began to push once again for a Ceasefire And Hostage Release Deal. The us and israel have expressed careful optimism about a deal since talks resumed last week. But hamas denies progress is being made and Accused Israel Of adding new conditions to the agreed proposals. This afternoon, the israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted israel could not be Flexible On all issues accusing hamas Of being obstinate. Jenny hill sent this report. Theres a Crushing Familiarity to gazas grief. Funerals for those killed overnight in israeli airstrikes. Israel insists its targeting hamas fighters. This was an entire civilian family, mohammed says. A woman and her six children. As the Human Cost Of this conflict surges, so too does the risk it will spill over into all out regional war. Urgent diplomacy is under way. The us secretary Of state, Anton