Currently, high-level talks are underway in Washington to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, marking nearly five months into the ongoing conflict. A meeting recently took place between Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Notably, Gantz, a political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is not officially representing the Israeli government during his visit to the United States.
In addition to his meeting with Defense Secretary Austin, Gantz is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken, on the other hand, has already engaged in discussions with his Qatari counterpart regarding the potential for a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.