Hamas has responded to a U.S. backed ceasefire proposal with amendments, indicating that they have not yet accepted or rejected the deal. Israel has shown openness to the plan but has not fully endorsed it, leading to ongoing negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has addressed Hamas's response, stating that while some proposed changes are feasible, others are not. Hamas took nearly two weeks to respond and introduced additional amendments, some of which diverge from their previous stances.
The U.S. government is currently evaluating Hamas's latest response. Egypt and Qatar have issued a joint statement, expressing their collaboration to determine the next steps. In contrast, Israel has interpreted Hamas's actions as a rejection of the ceasefire proposal.
Leaked messages from Hamas leader Yair Sinwar have surfaced, suggesting that Hamas believes it holds the advantage and implying a willingness to accept civilian casualties as 'necessary sacrifices.' Meanwhile, Israel has released footage of the IDF targeting a command center in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of four Hezbollah officials, including a high-ranking commander.
Regarding the peace plan, Blinken has indicated that further details on post-conflict reconstruction and establishing a lasting ceasefire will be forthcoming in the coming weeks. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as efforts to secure a sustainable resolution to the conflict persist.
