Israel Reviews Gaza's Armistice Proposal From Hamas

JAKARTA - Israel is reviewing Hamas' revised proposals against the ceasefire proposal and the agreement to release hostages.

Hamas confirmed it had submitted a new proposal, but did not disclose its contents. The previous version submitted late Tuesday was rejected by the mediators for being deemed inadequate and not even forwarded to Israel, according to sources familiar with the situation.

As reported by Reuters on Thursday, July 24, both sides faced great pressure at home and abroad to reach an agreement, with the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza sharp amid widespread acute hunger in the Palestinian area that has shocked the world.

A senior Israeli official was quoted by local media as saying the new text was something Israel could follow up on.

However, Israel's Channel 12 says a quick deal is unlikely, with the gap between the two sides, including where the Israeli military should step down during the ceasefire.

A Palestinian official close to the negotiations told Reuters that Hamas' latest position was "flexible, positive, and considered the increasing suffering in Gaza and the need to stop hunger".

Dozens of people have died from hunger in Gaza in recent weeks as a wave of hunger hit the area.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said 21 children under the age of five were among those who died of malnutrition this year.

Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza since early March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, said it was committed to allowing aid entry.

But Israel wants to control it so that aid is not diverted by militants.

Israel claims it has allowed enough food to enter its 2.2 million population of Gaza during the war, and blamed the United Nations for sending it slowly.

While the United Nations says they operate as effectively as possible under conditions imposed by Israel.