US submits new Gaza ceasefire proposal with Israeli support while Hamas evaluates, White House says
The US has submitted a new Gaza ceasefire proposal that has Israeli support while Hamas is still evaluating it, the White House has said.
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Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff has submitted a proposal to Hamas.
Ms Leavitt said it was signed off by Israel beforehand.
"I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing, and we hope that a ceasefire in Gaza will take place, so we can return all of the hostages home," she added.
It comes hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he accepted the US' new ceasefire plan, according to Israeli media reports.
Read more: Four killed as Palestinians storm UN Gaza aid warehouse in search of food
Read more: UK condemns Israel’s approval of 22 new illegal settlements in the West Bank
He has also reportedly told families of hostages remaining in Gaza he has agreed to the plan.
Meanwhile, Hamas said earlier it received the proposal, which it is still reportedly evaluating.
Hamas reportedly feels it has been "screwed over" by the US with a notedly pro-Israel proposal with no guarantee an end to the war, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Mr Witkoff has previously expressed optimism about the US' ability to broker a peace deal.
“I have some very good feelings about getting to a long-term resolution — a temporary ceasefire and a long-term resolution, a peaceful resolution of that conflict,” he said.
Hamas said it agreed THE “general framework” of an agreement hoped to result in a lasting ceasefire and Israeli pulling out of Gaza.
They also called for aid deliveries, which comes amid reports that people facing famine in Gaza “have lost hope”.
On Wednesday, two people were crushed while two others died from gunshot wounds as crowds of Palestinians stormed a UN aid warehouse in search of food, according to health officials.
Today, a Foreign Office minister has warned that twenty-two new settlements in the occupied West Bank represent “a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood” by Israel.
The settlements, which are illegal under international law, will include outposts already built without the permission of the Israeli government.
Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer said the government condemns the decision, calling it "deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood".
"The UK condemns these actions," he said."Settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two-state solution, and do not protect Israel"