The United States believes Israel and Hamas have a 'pretty significant opening' to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held there, a senior US official has said.
The United States believes Israel and Hamas have a"pretty significant opening" to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held there, a senior US official has said.
"The proposal put forward by Hamas includes a very significant breakthrough," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The White House said Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu, on a phone call, discussed the response received from Hamas on possible terms of a deal. The source cautioned, though, there was a risk a deal could be scuppered by"political considerations".
Two Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hamas has said any deal must end the war and bring a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel maintains it will accept only temporary pauses in the fighting until Hamas is eradicated.
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