Israel Reviews Hamas Reply to Truce, Hostage Release Proposal

Both sides face pressure to reach deal amid widespread, acute hunger in Gaza enclave

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JERUSALEM/CAIRO - Israel is reviewing a revised response from Hamas to a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on July 24, as Israeli air and ground strikes continued to pound the Gaza Strip.

Hamas confirmed it had handed over a new proposal, but did not disclose its contents. A previous version, submitted late on July 22, 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 amid widespread, acute hunger in the Palestinian enclave that has shocked the world.

A senior Israeli official was quoted by the 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".