A plume of smoke erupts from Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip as pictured from a position along the border in southern Israel. AFP
The response included proposed amendments to clauses on the entry of aid, maps of areas from which the Israeli occupation army should withdraw, and guarantees on securing a permanent end to the war, one of the sources told AFP.
Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Qatar with mediators in an attempt to reach an agreement on a truce deal that would see the release of 10 Israelis in exchange for an as-yet-undetermined number of Palestinian detainees.
But the talks have dragged on for more than two weeks without a breakthrough, with each side blaming the other for refusing to budge on their key demands.
Israel, which has repeatedly introduced new conditions, now demands the dismantling of Hamas's military and governing capabilities.
Hamas’s core demands — a lasting truce, full Israeli withdrawal, and unrestricted humanitarian aid — have remained unchanged
However, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer on Wednesday claimed that Hamas of obstructing talks.
"Israel has agreed to the Qatari proposal and the updated (US special envoy Steve) Witkoff proposal. It is Hamas that is refusing," Mencer told reporters, adding that Israel's negotiating team was still in Doha and talks were ongoing.
The United States said Witkoff would head to Europe this week for talks on Gaza, and might visit the Middle East afterwards.
Witkoff was departing with the "strong hope that we will come forward with another ceasefire as well as a humanitarian corridor for aid to flow, that both sides have agreed to", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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