President Joe Biden has expressed optimism about securing a hostage exchange agreement despite ongoing challenges posed by Hamas. Speaking to reporters during a briefing primarily focused on the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, Biden addressed the status of negotiations.

“We’re making some real progress,” Biden said, adding that he had spoken with U.S. negotiators earlier in the day. While acknowledging that Hamas remains an obstacle, he stated, “I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange. We need to get it done.”

For over a year, the White House has attributed the lack of a ceasefire in Gaza to Hamas, though international diplomats and some Israeli negotiators suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on only temporary truces has also hindered progress. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently remarked that while a ceasefire and hostage release agreement are likely inevitable, they may not be finalized until the next administration takes office.

In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s envoy, Gal Hirsch, met with representatives of families of the 98 hostages still held in Gaza. Hirsch outlined a proposed three-phase deal, beginning with a six-week ceasefire to release approximately one-third of the hostages. Negotiations for subsequent phases, which include freeing the remaining captives and retrieving the bodies of deceased hostages, would occur during the ceasefire.

However, Netanyahu’s preference for resuming military action after the first phase has raised concerns among hostage families, who fear delays could endanger their loved ones. Polls indicate widespread public disapproval of Netanyahu’s handling of the crisis, with critics arguing that his strategy lacks a long-term solution to replace Hamas’s rule in Gaza.

Hamas has demanded assurances linking all phases of the agreement, emphasizing its stance that a permanent ceasefire is necessary for the full release of hostages. Meanwhile, U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian mediators continue to work on advancing the agreement within the proposed three-stage framework.

The situation remains tense as Israeli intelligence estimates that half of the hostages are still alive. The recovery of one hostage’s body, Youssef Ziyadne, has heightened fears for others still in captivity.

As negotiations progress, the international community closely watches the delicate balance between securing hostages’ safety and addressing broader political and military tensions in the region.