US Secretary of State Antony Blinken embarked on a mission to the Middle East on Saturday to advance a Gaza ceasefire agreement, amid a growing sense of cautious optimism. The senior US diplomat, postponing his vacation plans for his ninth visit to the region since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, is set to travel to Tel Aviv for anticipated discussions with Israeli officials. Although Blinken has previously included Arab states in his itineraries, no additional stops have been announced for this trip. Departing from Andrews Air Force Base, Blinken concluded two days of ceasefire negotiations, facilitated by President Joe Biden and coordinated with Egypt and Qatar, which concluded in Doha. US officials reported progress and presented a proposal to reconcile differences between Israel and Hamas, with further talks scheduled for later in the week in Cairo. President Biden expressed that "we are closer than we have ever been" to an agreement, though a US official, speaking under customary anonymity, noted that the process was not yet at its final stage. The official also mentioned the establishment of an "implementation cell" to expedite the agreement's execution if finalized. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office conveyed "cautious optimism" about reaching an accord and urged pressure on Hamas, which has refuted claims of an imminent truce. According to a plan outlined by Biden on May 31, hostilities would cease for an initial six weeks, extendable as discussions for a permanent resolution proceed, including the release of hostages and prisoners. Despite Biden's framing of the deal as originating from Israel, Netanyahu faces significant criticism from far-right coalition partners who sustain his government. A ceasefire agreement would be a significant victory for Biden during the Democratic Party's convention in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to be nominated as the party's candidate. Pro-Palestinian activists plan protests in Chicago, protesting what they perceive as excessive support for Israel by the Biden administration, which recently authorized an additional $20 billion in arms sales to Israel. Hamas's October 7 attack, which ignited the conflict, resulted in 1,198 fatalities, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli official figures compiled by AFP. In Gaza, controlled by Hamas, authorities report over 40,000 deaths, with a recent airstrike claiming the lives of 15 family members.