US Drafts New Terms for Gaza Hostage Ceasefire Deal

The United States has proposed new language for parts of a proposed hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, aiming to bridge the gaps and reach an agreement. The proposal draws from a speech by U.S. President Joe Biden and an Israeli proposal approved by Israel's war cabinet. The Biden administration is collaborating with mediators from Qatar and Egypt to refine the language and is urging Hamas to accept the new terms.

This initiative follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement that Hamas sought significant changes to their response. The revised proposal focuses on Article 8, addressing post-deal negotiations, including the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all living male hostages and the demilitarization of Gaza. Despite earlier setbacks, including Hamas rejecting a recent Israeli proposal, the U.S. continues to push for a three-phase deal that includes the release of the remaining 120 hostages and establishing "sustainable calm" in Gaza.