Israel exploring ways to end war in Gaza, as US asks for Hamas’s demands – report

Israel is exploring avenues for ending the war in Gaza, the Maariv daily reports, without citing sources. According to the outlet, US officials recently asked Qatari counterparts to get Hamas to lay out a list of its demands for ending the war and releasing all hostages.

Hamas has yet to respond, says the report.

Meanwhile, according to Maariv, a mid-level Egyptian delegation was in Israel on Monday to try to nail down the location of the next round of talks on a ceasefire in Gaza.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says in a press conference that the location doesn’t matter, putting the onus on Israel.

“What matters now is not the venue,” says Majed Al-Ansari, “but that an agreement is reached now. There is already an offer on the table to which Israel must respond.”

“Attempts to stall by shifting locations or other tactics are clear to the international community, and it is time for Israel to give a serious answer to what it has already agreed to in the past.”

Israel’s security cabinet is about to meet to discuss the war and negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.