US officials remain optimistic that a ceasefire deal in the war-torn Gaza Strip is within reach, despite indications from Israel and Hamas that a breakthrough is not imminent. The renewed fighting in parts of the Palestinian territory has further complicated the negotiations, which were expected to restart in Cairo this week but have been postponed.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire have been led by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his ninth visit to the region since the conflict began 10 months ago. Washington has been pressuring both Israel and Hamas to accept a bridging proposal proposed during talks in Qatar last week.

However, Hamas has raised concerns that the latest proposal aligns too closely with Israel's demands, but dismissed US President Joe Biden's recent comments suggesting a withdrawal from an Israeli-controlled corridor and the Egypt-Gaza border as misleading. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly refused to consider a withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, which is a red line for Hamas and Cairo.

The chances for a deal appear slim, with Israeli officials suggesting talks in Cairo could be scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Reports indicate that Netanyahu insists on an Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi corridor, while the US demands a significant withdrawal of troops in two stages.

Despite the challenges, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated on Thursday that a ceasefire agreement is now within sight. President Biden spoke with Netanyahu, emphasizing the urgency of achieving a ceasefire and the release of hostages, and discussed plans to resolve remaining obstacles in upcoming talks in Cairo.

The need for swift action is heightened by recent back-to-back assassinations of a senior Hezbollah commander and Hamas's political chief, which threaten to escalate the conflict into a region-wide war. A potential ceasefire in Gaza could help reduce tensions and dissuade Iran and Hezbollah from retaliatory actions.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Israeli strikes have continued to wreak havoc in Gaza. The civil defense agency in Gaza City reported that a school-turned-shelter was hit, resulting in the death of at least three people and the injury of 10 children. The Israeli military claimed that the school contained a weapons storage facility. Israeli troops and tanks have also intensified their presence in central and southern Gaza, engaging in battles with Hamas fighters who have regrouped.

The escalating violence has led to approximately 170,000 people being displaced once again, including from areas previously designated as humanitarian safe zones. Aid agencies are raising concerns that the remaining humanitarian zones, which cover only 11% of the strip's total area, are already overwhelmed and unable to accommodate new arrivals.

The situation has further deteriorated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with reports of three people killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Tulkarm refugee camp. The Israeli army maintains that the strike was a counter-terrorism operation.

As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, the international community anxiously awaits a breakthrough in negotiations for a ceasefire. The hopes are that such an agreement would not only bring relief and stability to the region but also prevent further escalation and potential wider conflict in the Middle East.