US has introduced new language in an effort to bridge gaps in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, a senior US administration official announced on Friday. This initiative aims to address the stalemate in discussions and move closer to a resolution.
The three-phase proposal, initially outlined by US President Joe Biden last month, sets conditions for the eventual release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, hopes for a breakthrough were dashed earlier this month when Hamas responded with amendments to the Israeli proposal. Israel has not publicly accepted the plan either.
According to CNN contributor Barak Ravid, the US is urging Egypt and Qatar to press Hamas to accept the revised language. Ravid reported, citing three unnamed sources with direct knowledge, that the acceptance of the new language by Hamas could close the deal.
The new language focuses on the initial phase of the proposal, during which Israel and Hamas are expected to begin negotiations to activate the second phase a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. The disagreement centers around Hamas’ demand that the second phase negotiations focus solely on the number and identity of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli jails, while Israel wants to include discussions on the demilitarization of Gaza and other issues.
The second phase of the proposal has been a significant point of contention in the months-long negotiations. Hamas has called for a permanent end to the war and a complete Israeli military withdrawal, whereas Israeli politicians, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to continue the conflict until Hamas is eliminated.
Netanyahu recently suggested a “partial deal” with Hamas to return only some hostages, contradicting the proposed plan. He later retracted these comments after backlash from hostages’ families and Israeli politicians.
Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan stated that the latest proposal received on June 24 did not meet their demands for a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamdan accused Israel of evasion and the US of pressuring Hamas to accept an incomplete proposal.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Gaza City, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and local officials reporting ongoing operations against terror targets and armed cells. Gaza’s civil defense officials have received numerous calls for help from injured individuals trapped by the fighting.
Since October 7, the conflict has resulted in 37,834 Palestinian deaths and 86,858 injuries in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.