US says 'serious proposal put forward' on Gaza truce, hostage deal

WASHINGTON

The White House said Tuesday that a "serious proposal" has been offered to facilitate the release of hostages that continue to be held by Hamas in exchange for a lengthy truce in the besieged Gaza Strip.

"We believe that there has been a serious proposal put forward here for an extended pause that can do all the things we've said it can do," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. "We are still now in the process of trying to get that proposal inked and underway."

Kirby declined to say if Hamas responded to the framework, citing the ongoing negotiations.

"I'd rather not talk about sort of where folks are on on the particulars and where they are in terms of final approval, but we don't have a deal at this point," he said. "We're hoping we can get closure on it very, very soon."

The White House declined to specify the length of the pause in hostilities being offered, but said it would be "extended."

Reports during the weekend suggested that the Palestinian group rejected the proposal -- claims Hamas denied. A source told Anadolu on Sunday that Hamas' consultations with other Palestinian factions are ongoing.

“Hamas has not informed the mediators of rejecting the proposal for a hostage swap and a cease-fire,” said the source. “The group is continuing its consultations with all Palestinian factions and components regarding the proposals and will deliver its response to the mediators soon.”

Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, said Tuesday that the group received a proposal discussed at a meeting in Paris late last month. He said it also received an invitation to visit Cairo to discuss the agreement, without specifying the date of the visit to the Egyptian capital.

On Jan. 28, a meeting was held in Paris with the participation of Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar to discuss a three-stage deal involving a hostage swap and a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, according to Palestinian and American sources.

Israel estimates there are approximately 136 Israeli hostages in Gaza while it holds at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons, according to sources from both sides, although there is no confirmation on the final number from either party.