Hamas said it has submitted a response to the latest ceasefire proposal by U.S. Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff to mediators on Saturday, reiterating its key demands.

The White House said Thursday that the U.S. has submitted a new Gaza ceasefire proposal that has Israeli support. Hamas officials gave the Israeli-approved draft a cool response, but said they wanted to study the proposal more closely before giving a formal answer.

Islamic group Hamas has announced its readiness to "immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations" with Israel for a ceasefire, amid stalled talks between the two sides.

Hamas wants a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire, terms U.S. and Israeli officials have rejected as unacceptable.

Hamas has submitted a new proposal for a Gaza ceasefire that the group says “aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal [of Israeli forces] from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas announced yesterday that it had replied to a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal, but Washington’s main negotiator criticised the response as

Hamas has said it wants amendments to the US-proposed ceasefire deal, offering to release hostages if the agreement achieves "a permanent ceasefire".

At least 31 people were killed and scores were wounded on Sunday as they were on their way to receive food in the Gaza Strip, according to health officials and multiple witnesses. The witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around 1,