- Summary
- Israeli security cabinet to meet on Gaza ceasefire proposal
- PM Netanyahu, officials to discuss Hamas response
- Khan Younis residents say tanks shelling east of the city
- Residents told to evacuate areas of Khan Younis and Rafah on Tuesday
CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM, July 4 (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet on Thursday evening to discuss new Hamas positions on a possible ceasefire deal in Gaza, a source in Netanyahu’s office said as fighting raged in the enclave.
Before the cabinet meets, Netanyahu will have consultations with his ceasefire negotiations team, the source also said.
Israel received Hamas’ response on Wednesday to a proposal made public at the end of May by U.S. President Joe Biden that would include the release of about 120 hostages held in Gaza and a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.
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A Palestinian official close to the mediation effort told Reuters that Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, has shown flexibility over some clauses, that would allow a framework agreement to be reached should Israel approve.
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.