News from Qatar: Current ceasefire proposal in Gaza closer to positions of both sides

(Patria) - Qatar announced that it has delivered an Israeli proposal to Hamas that reflects the positions outlined by
US President Joe Biden, adding that the proposal is now much closer to the positions of both sides.

Qatar, which has been mediating in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, also emphasized that there should be a clear stance from both sides to reach a ceasefire agreement, its foreign ministry spokesperson said at a press briefing, Reuters reported.

"We are waiting for a clear stance from Israel representing the entire government in response to the US proposal in Gaza," Majed al-Ansari added.

Biden on Friday presented a three-phase ceasefire proposal to end the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people. The proposal calls for a ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

"A ceasefire agreement should immediately end the long suffering of all people in Gaza and the hostages and their families, and provide a roadmap for a lasting ceasefire and an end to the crisis," al-Ansari said.

Qatar said it is still waiting for a text agreed upon by both sides.

"We are now making every effort to finalize the agreement," al-Ansari added.