Israel poised to reject Hamas counter-offer for hostage deal

Hours after Hamas delivered its response to the proposal for a hostage deal and ceasefire, Israeli officials clarified Hamas effectively rejected the Israeli framework presented by President Biden in his speech at the end of last month. Mossad Chief Dadi Barnea was updated on Tuesday evening about the details of Hamas' response by Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani. Sources familiar with the details explained that Hamas altered "the entire proposal" in their response. According to them, "the meaning is clear - a rejection of Biden's proposal." A senior Israeli official added that while Biden emphasized in his speech that Hamas should accept the proposal as it is and simply sign what was put on the table, Hamas introduced "substantial changes" to the proposal, which therefore appears to be a negative response.