Hamas said Tuesday that it gave mediators its reply to the U.S.-backed proposal for a cease-fire in Gaza, seeking some "amendments" on the deal. "We're in receipt of this reply that Hamas delivered to Qatar and to Egypt, and we are evaluating it right now," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington. Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha said the response included "amendments that confirm the cease-fire, withdrawal, reconstruction and (prisoner) exchange." "Everyone's vote is in, except for one vote, and that's Hamas," Blinken told reporters in Tel Aviv after meeting with Israeli officials, hours before Hamas announced its reply. Israeli restrictions and ongoing fighting have hindered efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the isolated coastal enclave, fueling widespread hunger.

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Persons: Antony Blinken, Egypt —, United States —, John Kirby, Jihad Taha, Taha, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken, Netanyahu, Osama Hamdan, Lebanon's Al Organizations: United, House, U.S, Security, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, U.S, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Washington