The Israeli cabinet is expected to discuss Hamas’s latest response a US-backed proposal for a gradual ceasefire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending it nine months of war stirred back to life after a week’s hiatus.
Meanwhile, intensified between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollahwith militant groups said to have fired more than 200 rockets and exploded drones into northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli air strike the previous day.
The relatively low-level conflict has literally inflamed the border and raised fears of a potentially more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it will end its attacks if a ceasefire is reached between Hamas – an Iranian-backed ally – and Israel.
The United States has rallied world support behind a plan that would free all hostages still held by militant groups in return for a lasting ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. But so far, neither party has fully responded.
An Israeli delegation led by Mossad Director David Barnea is traveling to Qatar to continue talks on a potential ceasefire and hostage deal, a source familiar with the talks told CBS News Thursday. He will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for discussions aimed at bringing the parties closer to an agreement on Gaza, the source said.
President Biden held a 30-minute phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Thursday, a senior Biden administration official told reporters, as the two leaders went through the latest draft of the proposal.
The official said there was a “critical breakthrough” in the proposal, adding that it was “clear” that “Hamas’ response could continue the process and could provide a basis for closing a deal.”
Hamas suggested “amendments” to the proposal last month, which some say the US cannot implement, without giving specifics. Netanyahu has confirmed that the original proposal was Israel’s, but has cast doubt on whether it will end the war – a key demand of Hamas.
Israeli officials previously said Netanyahu would hold a Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss the latest developments in the negotiations. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the meeting with the media, spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hamas political official Bassem Naim said the group neither accepted nor rejected the American proposal, and was “responding to some ideas to bridge the gap” between the two sides, without elaborating. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ top political leader, has shared the advice with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement late Wednesday.
US officials said the latest proposal had new language proposed to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday and concluded indirect negotiations that would begin during the first phase of a three-phase deal that Mr. Biden is laid out in his May 31 speech.
The first phase called for a “full and complete cease-fire,” the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated Gaza and the release of several hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for their release. of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The proposal calls for the parties to negotiate the terms of the second phase within 42 days of the first phase. Under the current proposal, Hamas could release all the remaining people, civilians and soldiers, during the second phase. In return, Israel could release agreed upon Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The release will not happen until a “sustainable calm” is in effect and all Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza. The third phase will bring back the rest of the hostages.
The transition from the first phase to the second phase has been seen as a major sticking point.
Hamas is worried that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, perhaps after making unrealistic demands in the talks. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas will do the same, pushing for talks and an indefinite initial ceasefire without releasing any remaining prisoners.
In a lengthy television interview last month, Netanyahu said he was ready to make a “partial deal,” but was committed to resuming the war “after a pause” to destroy Hamas. Later, speaking before the Israeli parliament, said Israel remains committed to the deal outlined by Mr. Biden.
The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on October 7 into southern Israel, attacking several army bases and farming communities and killing around 1,200 people, most of them civilians. He kidnapped another 250 people. more than 100 were released during the weeklong ceasefire in November.
Israel launched a major offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack that has killed more than 38,000, according to health officials in Gaza, who did not specify the number of civilians or militants. The war caused great damage to the region, displacing most of the population of 2.3 million – often many times over – causing hunger and the fear of starvation.