Hamas Waits For Israel's Response To The Proposal For The Latest Ceasefire When Death Toll In Gaza Reaches 38,153 People

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Palestinian militant group Hamas is awaiting a response from Israel to its proposed ceasefire, two officials from the group said on Sunday, five days after receiving an important share of the United States' plans to end the nine-month war in Gaza.

"We have submitted our response to the mediators and are awaiting an occupational response," one of the two Hamas officials told Reuters, who asked not to be named, as quoted July 8.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold consultations on Sunday regarding the next steps in negotiating a three-phase plan proposed in May by US President Joe Biden and is being mediated by Qatar and Egypt.

The plan aims to end the war and free about 120 Israeli hostages detained by Hamas.

Another Palestinian official, who was aware of the ceasefire's considerations, said Israel was negotiating with Qatar.

"They have discussed with Hamas about their response and they promised to provide an Israeli response within a few days," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters on Sunday.

PM Netanyahu himself said negotiations would resume this week but had not provided a detailed schedule.

Hamas is known to have withdrawn the main demand that Israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement.

Instead, Hamas said it would allow negotiations to reach it during the first phase which lasted for six weeks, a Hamas source told Reuters on Saturday on condition of anonymity as the talks were closed.

A Palestinian official close to peace efforts said the proposal could lead to a framework agreement if it was accepted by Israel and would end the war.

Separately, at least 55 Palestinians were killed and 123 others injured as a result of Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, according to Sunday's medical sources, quoted by WAFA.

Local health authorities have confirmed that the death toll of Palestinians as a result of the Israeli attack since October 7 has risen to 38,153, while 87,828 others have been injured, with the majority of victims being women and children.