But after more than eight months of war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas still appear to be far apart on an agreement.
On Tuesday, Hamas issued a formal response to the cease-fire proposal to Qatari and Egyptian mediators, which officials in the Palestinian armed group said included some amendments.
In the second phase, both sides would declare a permanent cease-fire, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza, and more hostage-for-prisoner exchanges would take place.
Mr. Biden described the proposal as an Israeli initiative, and Israeli officials confirmed it was approved by the country’s top leadership.
Asked about the ambiguous Israeli public stance, Mr. Sullivan said he could confirm that Israel stood behind the proposal.
Persons:
Jake Sullivan, Biden, Mr, Sullivan, Israel, Hamas’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, Farnaz Fassihi
Organizations:
U.S, Hamas, United Nations Security, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Revolutionary Guard
Locations:
Egypt, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Italy, Hamas, United States