US President Joe Biden expressed optimism on Friday about the prospects of a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, indicating that negotiations are still active. "As of an hour ago, it’s still in play. I’m optimistic. Not — it’s far from over. Just a couple more issues. I think we’ve got a shot," Biden told reporters. While Biden did not provide a specific timeline for when a cease-fire might begin, he cautioned that no actions should be taken to undermine the ongoing process. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to travel to Israel on Saturday to continue efforts to finalize a cease-fire agreement, which includes the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. This visit follows the announcement from the US, Egypt, and Qatar on Friday of a "bridging proposal" presented to Israel and Hamas, aimed at narrowing the remaining gaps to swiftly implement the deal. The discussions, held in Doha over two days, were described as "serious and constructive" by the mediators. The proposal is said to align with the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024, and Security Council Resolution No. 2735, which welcomed the initial proposal put forth by Biden. Senior officials from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are scheduled to reconvene in Cairo before the end of next week to aim for a final agreement. Despite these efforts, Hamas has refused to participate in the latest discussions, insisting that Tel Aviv adhere to the agreements made in July based on a proposal supported by Biden. Since Israel began its onslaught in Gaza last October, more than 40,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, have been killed. The relentless Israeli bombardment has devastated vast areas of the coastal territory, reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble. — Agencies