Israel assesses Hamas' latest response to Gaza ceasefire proposal as diplomatic efforts revive

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's cabinet is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss Hamas' latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a gradual cease-fire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts to end the nine-month war resume after a weeks-long hiatus.

Fighting has intensified between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it fired more than 200 rockets and detonated drones at northern Israel to avenge the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli airstrike the previous day.

The low-intensity conflict has literally set the border ablaze and raised fears of an even more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it would stop its attacks if a ceasefire is reached between Hamas, another Iranian-backed ally, and Israel.

The United States has rallied international support for a plan that would see all hostages still held by the militant group released in exchange for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. But so far, neither side appears to have fully embraced it.

Hamas proposed “amendments” last month, some of which the United States says are unworkable, without providing details. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the initial proposal was Israeli, but expressed doubts that it would end the war, a key Hamas demand.

Hamas confirmed Wednesday that it had sent a new response to Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks, without providing details. A U.S. official said the Biden administration was reviewing the response, calling it constructive but adding that more work needed to be done. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

An Israeli official said Netanyahu would convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the negotiations. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the meeting with the media, spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel will likely hold additional consultations before making a final decision on any amended proposal.

Bassem Naim, a Hamas political leader, said the group had neither accepted nor rejected the U.S. proposal, and had “responded with some ideas to bridge the gap” between the two sides, without elaborating. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader, shared his suggestions with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement released Wednesday night.

U.S. officials said the latest proposal contained new language that was offered to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday and addressed indirect negotiations that are expected to begin in the first phase of the three-phase deal that U.S. President Joe Biden outlined in a May 31 speech.

The first phase provides for a “total and complete ceasefire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The proposal called for the parties to negotiate the terms of the second phase during the 42 days of the first phase. Under the current proposal, Hamas could release all remaining men, civilians and soldiers, in the second phase. In return, Israel could release an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The releases would not take place until a “lasting calm” is achieved and all Israeli troops have withdrawn from Gaza. The third phase would see the return of the hostages' remains.

The transition from the first to the second phase seems to be the main sticking point.

Hamas fears that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, perhaps after making unrealistic demands during negotiations. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas will do the same, extending the negotiations and the initial ceasefire indefinitely without releasing the remaining prisoners.

In a lengthy television interview last month, Mr. Netanyahu said he was willing to make a “partial deal” but was determined to continue the war “after a pause” in order to destroy Hamas. Later, speaking to the Israeli parliament, he said Israel remained committed to the deal proposed by Biden.

The war began when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on October 7 in southern Israel, attacking several military bases and farming communities and killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They kidnapped another 250 people, more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November. The militants still hold about 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others.

Israel launched a major offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 37,900 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who did not specify how many were civilians or militants. The war has caused widespread destruction across the territory, displaced most of its population of 2.3 million — often multiple times — and sparked widespread famine and fears of starvation.

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Kareem Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Aamer Madhani contributed from Washington.

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