Israel continues to negotiate with Hamas, using Qatar and others as intermediaries. Hamas has expressed its intention to seek a permanent ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Blinken has begun a visit to the Middle East region. Diplomatic efforts are also focused on whether he can make progress in negotiations through consultations with relevant countries. Iran-backed militias have launched new attacks on bases housing American troops amid growing local opposition to the US military's airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for attacks that killed soldiers.