Israeli officials have returned from Qatar after meeting Wednesday with CIA Director William Burns, as well as Qatari and Egyptian officials, as hostage and ceasefire negotiations are reportedly progressing.

Separately, Egypt’s foreign minister says talks are underway to prevent a wider war in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.

Badr Abdelatty: “We are intensifying our communications with our brothers, with various Lebanese parties, as well as the effective regional and international parties, to defuse the crisis and to avoid the scourge of engaging in all-encompassing confrontations that will lead to the ignition of the Lebanese front, which will have grave consequences and risks for Lebanon, the Lebanese people, the Arab area and the entire region.”

Hezbollah has said it will stop cross-border attacks if a Gaza ceasefire deal is reached.