Hamas Awaits Israel's Response on Ceasefire Proposal Amid Ongoing Conflict

After Hamas accepted a key part of a U.S. plan to end the nine-month-old war in Gaza, it is now awaiting a response from Israel on its ceasefire proposal. Two officials from the Palestinian group stated that they have left their response with the mediators and are waiting to hear Israel's response. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold consultations on the next steps in negotiating the three-phase plan presented by U.S. President Joe Biden in May and mediated by Qatar and Egypt. This plan aims to end the war and free around 120 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.

Israel's Response and Negotiations with Qataris

According to a Palestinian official familiar with the ceasefire deliberations, Israel is in talks with Qataris regarding Hamas' response. The official mentioned that Israel promised to give its response within days, indicating ongoing discussions between the parties. While Netanyahu has announced that negotiations will continue, no detailed timeline has been provided as of now.

Hamas' Altered Demands

Hamas has made a significant change in its stance by dropping a key demand that Israel should first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing an agreement. Instead, it has expressed willingness to allow negotiations to achieve that throughout the six-week first phase, as stated by a Hamas source to Reuters on Saturday.

International Involvement in Ceasefire Negotiations

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns will be traveling to Qatar for negotiations this week, indicating continued international efforts to support the ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

Conflict Situation and Tragic Events

The conflict, which began nine months ago, has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. Gaza health officials report that more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the coastal enclave has been largely reduced to rubble. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike on Sunday led to the death of Ehab Al-Ghussein, the Hamas-appointed deputy minister of labor, and three other individuals at a church-run school in western Gaza City sheltering Christian and Muslim families.

Protests in Israel and Escalation of Violence

In response to the situation, protesters in Israel have taken to the streets across the country, urging the government to agree to the Gaza ceasefire deal and bring back the hostages still being held in Gaza. Meanwhile, fighting has continued to rage across Gaza, and north Israel has come under rocket attack from Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Air raid sirens have been sounded in 24 Israeli towns, resulting in injuries, while Palestinian health officials reported at least 15 people killed in separate Israeli military strikes.

Continued Violence in Gaza

The Israeli military confirmed that its forces had killed 30 Palestinian gunmen in Rafah during close combat and air strikes in the past day. It also mentioned conducting operations in other areas and locating weapons and explosives. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reported attacks on Israeli forces in various locations across the Gaza Strip using anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs.