US President Joe Biden believes progress is being made in hostage talks, but Hamas is currently obstructing an agreement. Biden spoke with US negotiators and expressed hope for a prisoner exchange, but noted that Hamas is currently preventing it. The White House has blamed Hamas for the lack of ceasefire in Gaza, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that US pressure on Israel has led Hamas to harden its positions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hostage envoy met with representatives of hostage families, assuring them that negotiations for the release of remaining hostages will begin after a temporary ceasefire. Former hostage Sharon Cunio published a video urging Hamas to show proof of life for her husband, and over 800 parents of IDF soldiers penned an open letter to Netanyahu demanding a deal and threatening an 'all-out struggle'. Israeli airstrikes continued in the Gaza Strip, and the death toll in over 15 months of fighting has risen beyond 46,000. Hamas has approved a list of 34 hostages to be released, but insists it needs a ceasefire to ascertain their locations and conditions. Israel seeks to maximize the number of living hostages released, while Hamas wants to hold onto as many hostages as possible. The US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators are working on a three-staged ceasefire deal, with the second and third phases not coming immediately after the first one. Hamas is demanding linkage between the phases and a permanent ceasefire.