Hamas says US ceasefire proposal created a 'wide pathway' to reach deal in Gaza

Hamas said Wednesday its response to a U.S. ceasefire plan for the war in Gaza against Israel opened a "wide pathway" to reach an agreement, although neither the terrorist group nor Israel publicly committed to a deal.

The terrorist group submitted its formal response on Tuesday to a proposal U.S. President Joe Biden laid out on May 31. Israel said the response was equivalent to a rejection, and Hamas said it reiterated longstanding demands that the current plan did not include.

Egypt and Qatar said they received Hamas' response but did not detail what was said.

This comes amid a months-long war between Hamas and Israel following the terrorist group's Oct. 7 attack against the Jewish State, leading to military retaliation from Israeli forces.

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A member of Hamas' political bureau, Izzat al-Rishq, said in a statement the group's answer was "responsible, serious and positive" and "opens up a wide pathway" for a deal.

Another Hamas official told Reuters on Tuesday the response reiterated its position that a ceasefire must result in a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza, withdrawal of Israeli forces, reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave and release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

"We reiterated our previous stance," the Hamas official said. "I believe there are no big gaps. The ball is now in the Israeli courtyard."

Biden's plan proposes a ceasefire and phased release of Israeli hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians jailed in Israel, which would ultimately lead to a permanent end to the war between Hamas and Israel.

The U.S. has said Israel accepted its proposal, but Israel has not publicly confirmed it has accepted. Israeli Prime