US Confident in Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will take effect on Sunday, despite ongoing tensions and last-minute disputes regarding the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of attempting to backtrack on the agreement, which has led to delays in the Israeli cabinet's ratification process. As airstrikes in Gaza intensified, Palestinian officials reported at least 86 fatalities since the truce was announced. Hamas maintained its commitment to the ceasefire, while U.S. officials are working to resolve outstanding issues related to prisoner exchanges. The ceasefire deal, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt, is seen as a critical step towards ending 15 months of conflict. Blinken's final press conference highlighted the significance of this agreement as a potential turning point for peace in the region.