Israel Responds to Hamas’ Ceasefire Proposal; The Houthis targeted two ships in the Red Sea

Hamas said it had received Israel’s official response to its latest ceasefire proposal and would study it before submitting its response, according to a statement from the Palestinian paramilitary group’s deputy head in Gaza.

“We have received the official response of the Zionist occupation to the proposal that was presented to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on April 13,” said Khalil Al Haya, who is currently in Qatar, in a statement released by the group.

After more than six months of war with Israel in Gaza, negotiations remain deadlocked, with Hamas sticking to its demands that any deal must end the war.

An Egyptian delegation visited Israel on Friday for talks with Israeli officials, seeking a way to restart talks to end the conflict and return the remaining hostages taken when Hamas fighters stormed Israeli cities on Oct. 7, an official familiar with the talks said.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israel had no new proposals, although it was willing to consider a limited truce in which Hamas would release 33 hostages, instead of the 40 previously discussed.

On Thursday, the United States and 17 other countries called on Hamas to release all its hostages as a way to end the crisis.

Hamas has vowed not to give in to international pressure, but said in a statement on Friday that it was “open to any ideas or proposals that take into account the needs and rights of the Palestinians.”

However, Hamas stuck to its key demands that Israel rejected and criticized a joint statement by the US and others not to call for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday that he sees new momentum in talks to end the war and return the remaining hostages.

According to two unnamed officials, Israel told Egyptian mediators on Friday that it was prepared to offer hostage talks a “last chance” to reach a deal with Hamas before launching an invasion of Rafah, the last refuge for about a million Palestinians who were previously war fled from the north and central parts of the enclave from Israeli forces.

(Reuters)