Hamas says it accepts cease-fire proposal from Egypt, Qatar; Israel says deal ‘far from’ meeting its demands

An Israeli official cited by the Reuters news agency said Monday that no deal had been reached to end fighting in Gaza.

The comment came after Palestinian militant group Hamas announced it had accepted a cease-fire proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt.

The Israeli official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the deal Hamas had agreed to was a "softened" version of an Egyptian proposal that had "far-reaching" conclusions Israel could not accept.

"This would appear to be a ruse intended to make Israel look like the side refusing a deal," the official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official cited by The Associated Press said Israel was examining the cease-fire proposal, but stressed that the plan approved by Hamas "is not the framework Israel proposed."

Following the announcement from Hamas, the US said it was reviewing the response from Hamas "and discussing it with our partners in the region."

What do we know about the proposal Hamas accepted?

Hamas has said the Gaza truce proposal it has agreed to has three stages, including Israel's full withdrawal from the Palestinian territory.

Senior Hamas member Khalil al-Hayya told the Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel that each phase would last 42 days.

He also said the deal included plans for the return of Palestinians displaced by the war, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the goal of a "permanent cease-fire."

Earlier Monday, Hamas announced it had accepted a cease-fire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar. 

Israel's War Cabinet backs Rafah incursion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his War Cabinet has approved a military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

"The War Cabinet has unanimously decided that Israel is continuing the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to advance the release of our hostages and the other objectives of the war," a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

He added that efforts to secure a cease-fire would continue, and that Israel would send a delegation to meet with negotiators to try and reach an agreement.

His comments came after Hamas announced it had accepted a truce deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar.

"Even though the Hamas proposal is far from Israel's essential demands, Israel will send a working-level delegation to the mediators," Netanyahu's office said.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced it was striking Hamas targets in eastern Rafah after issuing evacuation orders to thousands of the city's residents earlier in the day.

UN chief urges Israel, Hamas to 'go the extra mile' for truce

The head of the UN has called on Israel and Hamas to "go the extra mile needed" to "stop the present suffering" and secure a cease-fire in Gaza.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply concerned" by indications showing a ground attack by Israel's military on the southern city of Rafah may be "imminent," his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General reminds the parties that the protection of civilians is paramount in international humanitarian law."

The UN has repeatedly voiced alarm that a military operation in Rafah could be catastrophic for the more than 1.2 million people who have sought refuge in the city.

Jordan's king warns Israel Rafah offensive will lead to 'new massacre'

Jordan's King Abdullah II has told US President Joe Biden that an Israeli offensive in Rafah would lead to a "new massacre."

Abdullah met with Biden at the White House on Monday.

"The king warned of the repercussions of the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, which could cause a regional spillover of the conflict," a statement from Jordan's royal court said.

Israel has issued evacuation orders for Palestinians in some parts of the city, suggesting that a long-planned ground invasion may be imminent.

The US has urged Israel not to go ahead with the assault on southern Gaza, where more than a million people have sought refuge.

The Jordanian statement also said Biden and Abdullah stressed the importance of efforts to secure "an immediate cease-fire in Gaza," and the delivery of humanitarian aid.