US Sees Signs of Progress on Deal to Release Israeli Hostages, Pause War

Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 28, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Israeli Army/AFP) Protesters call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war as they demonstrate outside the home of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 27, 2024.

U.S. negotiators are making progress on a potential agreement under which Israel would pause military operations against Hamas in Gaza for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 hostages who were captured in the October 7 attack on Israel, according to two senior administration officials.