Part 6/14:
Amid the ongoing violence, diplomatic efforts persist. Hamas has responded to the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal with a counteroffer that has been widely viewed as a rejection, or at best a significant modification, of the original terms. Hamas has agreed to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for Palestinian prisoners but has attached demands for a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and ongoing humanitarian aid—elements that go beyond the current U.S. framework.