Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, April 13, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Hamas submits response to hostage deal proposal; doesn’t explicitly reject it, but still demands ceasefire
A protester holds a placard as relatives of hostages held in Gaza and their supporters block traffic outside of the US embassy, calling for the immediate release of all captives, Tel Aviv, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Hamas issues a statement announcing that it has submitted its response to the latest hostage deal proposal.
The terror group says it is sticking to its original demands for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the entirety of Gaza, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and other areas, a surge in humanitarian aid and the start of the Strip’s reconstruction.
Those demands have been non-starters for Israel.
Nonetheless, Hamas claims it is still prepared to reach an agreement and the statement doesn’t explicitly reject the latest proposal put together by American, Qatari and Egyptian negotiators in consultation with Israel.
