U.S. gave Hamas new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release proposal – Axios

The U.S. gave Hamas a new proposal through Qatari mediators in an effort to release American hostage Edan Alexander and break the stalemate in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, Axios reported citing U.S. and Israeli officials.

It isn't clear if Hamas will accept the proposal that hinges on releasing Alexander in return for a statement by President Trump calling for calm in Gaza and resuming negotiations over a broader ceasefire deal, according to Axios.

"There is no deal yet," a U.S. official told Axios.

U.S. and Israeli officials said that in recent days, after Israeli resumed the war in Gaza, the negotiations over a new hostage-release and ceasefire deal stalled, according to Axios. 

In the meantime, Israel expanded its military operation in Gaza, including ground incursions in several parts of the enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened on Wednesday that if Hamas continues to refuse to release hostages, Israel is going to occupy more parts of Gaza.

Qatari and Egyptian officials met Hamas representatives in Doha on Thursday and discussed the different proposals, Israeli and U.S. officials said, according to Axios. 

An Israeli official said the new U.S.-Qatari proposal "is more an idea that isn't fully clear or fully developed."

He said the Qataris presented the proposal to Hamas as a gesture to the U.S. that could go a long way with Trump and allow him to press Israel for a broader deal.