The officials said that the changes were made by Arab mediators in consultation with William J. Burns, the C.I.A.
director, and that the new version keeps a key phrase, the eventual enactment of a “sustainable calm,” wording that all sides had said earlier they could accept.
The two officials said the response from Hamas was a serious one, and that it was now up to Israel to decide whether to enter into an agreement.
In the second phase, the two sides would work toward reaching a “sustainable calm,” which would involve the release of more hostages, the officials said.
The officials said that Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was expected to push back against that definition.
Persons:
William J, Burns, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu
Organizations:
Hamas
Locations:
Israel, United States, Gaza