Hamas Awaits Israeli Response on Ceasefire Proposal Hamas officials announced on July 7th that they are awaiting Israel’s response to their ceasefire proposal, which was submitted to mediators. The proposal was made in response to a three-phase plan presented by the US to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to a Hamas official, the group has submitted their response but is yet to receive a reply from Israel. Meanwhile, another Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations reported that Israel has been in discussions with Qatar regarding Hamas’s proposal and expects to respond within days. Hamas has agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire during the first six-week phase of the proposed plan, dropping its previous demand that Israel commit to such a ceasefire before signing any deal. This shift in Hamas’s stance could pave the way for a framework agreement and end the conflict. The proposal comes after a nine-month war in Gaza that has claimed the lives of over 38,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis. Hamas is holding approximately 250 Israeli hostages, and ending their captivity is a key objective of the peace efforts. US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns is scheduled to travel to Qatar for further talks on the matter.