Israel is examining Hamas' latest reply to a proposed cease-fire and hostage release agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday, as Israeli forces pressed ahead with air and ground assaults across the Gaza Strip.
Hamas confirmed it had handed over a new proposal, but did not disclose its contents. A previous version, submitted late Tuesday, was rejected by mediators as insufficient and was not even passed to Israel, sources familiar with the situation said.
Both sides are facing huge pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal, with the humanitarian conditions inside Gaza deteriorating sharply amidst widespread, acute hunger in the Palestinian enclave that has shocked the world.
A senior Israeli official was quoted by local media as saying the new text was something Israel could work with. However, Israel's Channel 12 said a rapid deal was not within reach, with gaps remaining between the two sides, including over where the Israeli military should withdraw to during any truce.
A Palestinian official close to the talks told Reuters the latest Hamas position was "flexible, positive and took into consideration the growing suffering in Gaza and the need to stop the starvation."
