Hamas has confirmed receiving Israel’s official response to its latest ceasefire proposal on Saturday. The group’s deputy Gaza chief, Khalil Al-Hayya, based in Qatar, announced that Hamas would review the response before formulating its reply.
The negotiations between Hamas and Israel, aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza after more than six months of war, remain at an impasse. Hamas insists on its demands for any agreement to end the hostilities.
An Egyptian delegation visited Israel for discussions with Israeli officials on Friday, seeking ways to restart talks. However, according to an official briefed on the meetings, Israel did not present any new proposals. Instead, it expressed willingness to consider a limited truce, involving the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, a reduction from the previously discussed 40.
In a joint statement, the United States and 17 other countries appealed to Hamas to release all hostages as a means to resolve the crisis. Hamas, while indicating openness to proposals accommodating the needs of its people, reiterated its key demands, including a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed optimism about the progress of negotiations. Meanwhile, according to Israeli officials cited by Axios, Israel informed Egyptian mediators of its readiness to give hostage negotiations “one last chance” before considering an invasion of Rafah.
Amidst these developments, Palestinian health officials reported casualties from an Israeli airstrike on a house in Rafah, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel, which began with Hamas fighters storming into Israeli towns on October 7, has led to significant casualties and ongoing tensions. Israel remains steadfast in its determination to neutralize Hamas, while the Palestinian population in Gaza continues to endure the consequences of the conflict.
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