"Israel's Negotiating Team to Attend Paris Hostage Talks Amid Rising Hopes for Gaza Deal"

Israel's war cabinet has agreed to send a negotiating team to Paris, led by Mossad Director David Barnea, to pursue talks over a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal. The decision follows US pressure and positive indications from talks in Cairo. The Biden administration is racing to secure a ceasefire before Ramadan, with the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza seen as the only plausible way to bring a pause to the deadly conflict. Hamas leaders have been meeting with Egyptian officials to move the deal forward, with demands including the release of prisoners and discussions leading to a formal end to the war.