Israel studies Hamas response to ceasefire proposal

The Israeli cabinet is expected to discuss Hamas' latest response to a proposal supported by the United States for a gradual ceasefire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aim to end the nine months war back to life after a week-long break.

Meanwhile, the fighting, Tensions escalate between Israel and Lebanese HezbollahThe militant group said 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.

An Israeli delegation led by Mossad Director David Barnea is traveling to Qatar to continue negotiations on a possible cease-fire and hostage deal, a source familiar with the discussions told CBS News on Thursday. He will meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for talks aimed at moving the sides closer to a Gaza deal, the source said.

President Biden held a 30-minute call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Thursday, a senior Biden administration official told reporters, during which the two leaders walked through the latest version of the proposal.

The official said there had been “a breakthrough in a critical impasse” in the proposal, adding that it was “clear” that “Hamas' response advances the process and can serve as a basis for reaching the agreement.”

Hamas last month proposed “amendments” to the proposal, some of which the United States said were unworkable, without providing details. Netanyahu confirmed that the original proposal was Israeli, but expressed doubts about its ability to end the war, a key Hamas demand.

An Israeli official had earlier 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.

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 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 Mr. Biden has outlined in a speech on May 31.

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 Mr. 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 abducted another 250, more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong ceasefire in November.

Israel launched a major offensive in response to the October 7 attack that killed more than 38,000 people, 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 people — often multiple times — and sparked widespread famine and fears of starvation.