Mixed Signals From Gaza Ceasefire Talks

US, Israeli, and Egyptian officials have offered different assessments on the status of ongoing Gaza hostage-for-ceasefire talks taking place in Cairo, Doha, and Israel.

• Barak Ravid at Axios notes that, according to a US official, "progress has been made" in Cairo talks with CIA Director Bill Burns set to travel to Doha tomorrow to continue negotiations. President Biden's envoy Brett McGurk will travel to Israel for talks with Israeli officials.
• Ravid reports: "Israeli officials are satisfied with the round of talks that took place yesterday in Cairo, but are careful not to raise expectations too much regarding the progress of the negotiations on the hostage deal and the ability to reach an agreement in the coming days."
• The Jerusalem Post notes that Egyptian officials said: "There is an agreement over many points," with the Egyptian delegation heading to Doha to bridge remaining gaps between Hamas and Israel, "in order to reach a truce agreement as soon as possible."
• Talks in Doha tomorrow are expected to include Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdel-Rahman Al-Thani, the head of the CIA, Bill Burns, the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamal, and Mossad director David Barnea.
• The prospect of a ceasefire remains closer than it has done for several months but the deal may ultimately hinge on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's willingness to abandon a long-standing pledge to continue fighting in Gaza “until all of the objectives of the war have been achieved.”