US sees 'cautious optimism' on reaching Gaza ceasefire

WASHINGTON - The United States said Tuesday it felt "cautious optimism" on the prospects of reaching a ceasefire in the 14-month war in Gaza, although it acknowledged that similar hopes had been dashed before.

Hamas on Tuesday said that talks mediated by Qatar were "serious and positive," a day after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the two sides as closer to a deal than ever before.

"I think cautious optimism is a fair way to characterize it, though very much tempered by realism," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"There have been times before where we were close and we thought the differences were bridgeable, and ultimately we didn't get a deal," Miller said.

"All the United States can do is push and try to come up with compromises, but we cannot dictate to either side what choice they have to make; they have to make those decisions for themselves."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has paid 12 visits to the Middle East since the massive 7 October 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which has responded with a relentless military campaign.

In August, Blinken warned in Israel that it was "maybe the last" chance for a deal, which would free hostages seized by Palestinian militants.

On his latest visit, Blinken said that Hamas appears to have moderated its positions after seeing major losses inflicted by Israel on the interests of Iran, a major patron of the group.

"The cavalry is not coming to the rescue. They are not going to get the wider war that they long sought," Blinken said Saturday in Aqaba, Jordan.

Blinken on his trip also encouraged Turkey, the home to many Hamas leaders even though Ankara recognizes Israel, to use its influence on the group to encourage acceptance of a deal.