Mideast cease-fire efforts gain steam as US envoy visits. Mediators report 'encouraging' signs

JERUSALEM - International efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas appeared to gain new momentum Thursday as the White House said a visit by a senior envoy with Israeli leaders was ''going well'' and other mediators reported encouraging signs from the warring parties.

The new signs of progress came ahead of an expected summit this weekend in Paris, where mediators plan to present a new proposal. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been struggling for weeks to find a formula that could halt Israel's devastating offensive in Gaza, but now face an unofficial deadline as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches.

White House Mideast envoy Brett McGurk held talks throughout the day with Israeli leaders and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

https://www.startribune.com/mideast-cease-fire-efforts-gain-steam-as-us-envoy-visits-mediators-report-encouraging-signs/600345276/