Israel weighs Hamas' latest response to Gaza cease-fire proposal as diplomatic efforts are revived

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's Cabinet was set to convene Thursday to discuss Hamas' latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza, as diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nine-month war stirred back to life after a weekslong hiatus.

Fighting, meanwhile, intensified between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it fired more than 200 rockets and exploding drones into northern Israel to avenge the killing of a senior commander in an Israeli airstrike the day before.

The relatively low-level conflict has literally set the border ablaze and raised fears of a potentially even more devastating war in the Middle East. Hezbollah has said it will halt its attacks if there is a cease-fire between Hamas — a fellow Iran-backed ally — and Israel.

The United States has rallied world support behind a plan that would see the release of all of the scores of hostages still held by the militant group in return for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. But until now, neither side appears to have fully embraced it.

Hamas suggested “amendments” to the proposal last month, some of which the U.S. said were unworkable, without providing specifics. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the original proposal was an Israeli one, but has raised doubts over whether it would end the war — a key Hamas demand.

Hamas confirmed Wednesday that it had sent another response to Egypt and Qatar, which are mediating the talks, without providing details. A U.S. official said the Biden administration was examining the response, calling it constructive but saying more work needed to be done. The official, who wasn't authorized to comment publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

An Israeli official said Netanyahu would convene a Cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss the latest developments surrounding the negotiations. The official, who wasn't authorized to discuss the meeting with media, spoke on condition of anonymity. Israel would likely hold additional consultations before making a final decision on any amended proposal.

As cease-fire talks appeared to be gaining new steam, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the war had climbed past 38,000.

Hamas political official Bassem Naim said that the group has neither accepted nor rejected the American proposal, and has “responded with some ideas to bridge the gap” between the two sides, without elaborating. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader, has shared suggestions with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement late Wednesday.

U.S. officials have said the latest proposal has new language that was proposed to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday and addresses indirect negotiations that are set to commence during the first phase of the three-phase deal that U.S. President Joe Biden laid out in a May 31 speech.

The first phase calls for a “full and complete cease-fire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The proposal called for the parties to negotiate the terms of the second phase during the 42 days of phase one. Under the current proposal, Hamas could release all of the remaining men, both civilians and soldiers, during the second phase. In return, Israel could free an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The releases wouldn't occur until “sustainable calm” takes effect and all Israeli troops withdraw from Gaza. The third phase would see the return of the remains of hostages.

The transition from the first to the second phase has appeared to be the main sticking point.

Hamas is concerned that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, perhaps after making unrealistic demands in the talks. Israeli officials have expressed concern that Hamas will do the same, drawing out the talks and the initial cease-fire indefinitely without releasing the remaining captives.

In a lengthy television interview last month, Netanyahu said that he was prepared to make a “partial deal,” but was committed to continuing the war “after a pause” in order to annihilate Hamas. Later, speaking before Israel's parliament, he said Israel remains committed to the deal outlined by Biden.

The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7 into southern Israel, attacking multiple army bases and farming communities and killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted another 250 people. more than 100 of whom were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. Militants are still holding around 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others.

Israel launched a major offensive in response to the Oct. 7 attack that has killed more than 38,000, according to health officials in Gaza, who don't say how many were civilians or militants. The war has caused vast destruction across the territory, displaced most of its population of 2.3 million — often multiple times — caused widespread hunger and raised fears of famine.

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi)

Israel weighs Hamas' latest response to Gaza cease-fire proposal as diplomatic efforts are revived

Palestinians search for bodies and survivors in the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (AP Photo /Jehad Alshrafi)

Israel weighs Hamas' latest response to Gaza cease-fire proposal as diplomatic efforts are revived

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani and Miguel Vargas hit solo shots in the eighth inning, Will Smith became the first Los Angeles player to homer in four consecutive at-bats in a decade, and the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-3 on Saturday.

After Christian Yelich went deep to tie the game at 3-all in the top of the eighth, the Dodgers responded with two homers to win their second straight in the matchup of National League division leaders.

Vargas, pinch hitting for Gavin Lux, led off the frame with drive over the wall in left-center off Bryan Hudson (4-1) to give the Dodgers the lead. Two batters later, Ohtani drove a cutter from Hudson 430 feet. It was the superstar's 28th of the season, which leads the NL and is second in the majors behind the Yankees' Aaron Judge, who has 32.

Smith, who had his first three-homer game in Friday night's 8-5 win, hit a two-run shot off Freddy Peralta in the first inning to put the Dodgers up 2-1. The last Dodger to homer in four straight at-bats was Adrián González in 2015.

The Dodgers have gone deep seven times in the first two games of the series.

Rhys Hoskins also homered for the Brewers, who have dropped four of six on their road trip.

Even Phillips (2-0) got the win despite allowing the tying homer to Yelich and Alex Vesia retired the side in the ninth for his fifth save in seven opportunities.

Milwaukee struck first on Willy Adames' RBI base hit to left before the Dodgers responded with three in the home half of the frame as the first four batters got aboard.

After Ohtani drew a leadoff walk, Smith connected on a fastball from Peralta and drove it over the wall in right-center. Smith’s 34 extra-base hits lead all big-league catchers and his 15 homers are tied for third.

Freddie Freeman gave the Dodgers a 3-1 lead when he scored on Andy Pages' grounder.

Hopkins, who hit the Brewers' seventh grand slam of the season Friday night, got Milwaukee within a run in the fourth with a solo shot to left off Dodgers' starter James Paxton.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: RHP Joe Ross (low back) allowed one unearned run and three hits in 2 2/3 innings during a rehab start for Class-A Wisconsin against Beloit. It was Ross' first rehab appearance.

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder surgery) will face hitters during a two- to three-inning simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. ... 3B Max Muncy (right oblique strain) is still experiencing soreness and can't swing a bat.

UP NEXT

Justin Wrobleski is expected to be called up by the Dodgers and make his major league debut in Sunday’s series finale. The 23-year old left-hander was selected in the 11th round of the 2021 draft and has made only two appearances in Triple-A. LHP Dallas Keuchel (0-0, 6.75) will make his third start of the season for the Brewers.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins follows through for a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins, right, hits a solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton, left, and catcher Will Smith, second from left, watch along with home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith, right, heads to first for a two-run home run as Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta watches during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Milwaukee Brewers' William Contreras is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring on a single by Willy Adames during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith, right, hits a two-run home run as Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, left, and catcher William Contreras, second from left, watch along with home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, his hit by a pitch as Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras catches during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith, right, is congratulated by Shohei Ohtani after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, July 6, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)