Hamas has submitted an official response to the mediators regarding the proposal for a ceasefire that is on the table.
However, the response is reported to contain several changes from the original proposal.
The Egyptian and Qatari mediators will review the response and "coordinate the next steps with relevant parties", according to a statement from Qatar's Foreign Ministry.
The statement says that the mediation efforts will continue.
Hamas' response concerns the Israeli proposal for a ceasefire presented by US President Joe Biden at the end of May. The White House is said to have taken note of Hamas' response and is evaluating it.
Key points changed
Jihad Taha, a spokesperson for Hamas, says that the response contains "amendments that confirm the ceasefire, withdrawal, reconstruction, and (prisoner) exchange", reports AP.
An Israeli source tells several media outlets that Israel has taken note of the response – and that the changes Hamas wants to make concern several key points, including the part about how the hostages taken by the terrorist group on 7 October will be released.
Gained new momentum
In the first official statement from Hamas and its allies, including the terrorist-designated group Islamic Jihad, the groups express a "positive willingness" to reach an agreement, reports Israeli media.
According to the US, Israel has approved the original proposal – but no such statement has been made by the Israeli government.
The talks about the ceasefire gained new momentum after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday evening, urging the parties to accept the proposal in full and without conditions.
The proposal for a ceasefire on the table consists of three phases.
The first phase, lasting six weeks, involves a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from "all populated areas in the Gaza Strip", and the exchange of a number of hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Phase two is dependent on the parties first agreeing on "necessary arrangements". However, if this happens, it would mean a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all remaining living hostages, and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
In the third phase, the remains of hostages who are no longer alive will be returned, and a comprehensive reconstruction plan will be launched.
