US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is within sight, saying negotiators are “driving toward the goal line”, Reuters reports.

Blinken told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that Hamas and Israel had agreed to the ceasefire framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in May after a lot of pushing and diplomacy, but said that some issues needed to be resolved.

“I believe we’re inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line in getting an agreement that would produce a ceasefire, get the hostages home and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability,” Blinken said.

“There remain some issues that need to be resolved, that need to be negotiated. We’re in the midst of doing exactly that.”