Progress toward a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza follows a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after last month’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran.If Israel and Hamas complete negotiations brokered by the U.

The deal comes more than 20 months into the conflict -- and more than three months after a previous deal ended.

Hamas announced on Friday that it had “submitted a positive response” to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, opening the path toward a deal to halt the conflict after months of failed efforts.