Future of truce proposal uncertain as Gazans appeal for end to suffering

Negotiations over the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal continue as Palestinians in the besieged enclave appeal for an end to the humanitarian tragedy.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Hamas' response to the latest U.S.-backed ceasefire-for-hostages proposal included "numerous changes" to what was originally presented, some of which were unacceptable.

"Hamas has proposed numerous changes to the proposal that was on the table. We discussed those changes last night with Egyptian colleagues and today with the prime minister" of Qatar, Blinken told a press conference in Doha, Qatar. "Some of the changes are workable; some are not."

"In the days ahead, we are going to continue to push on an urgent basis – with our partners, with Qatar, with Egypt – to try to close this deal," Blinken said.

In response to Blinken, a source close to Hamas, who required anonymity, said "all we did was reaffirming our commitment to what was presented on May 5 by the mediators, and we did not discuss any new ideas or proposals."

Noting the latest ceasefire proposal includes clauses allowing Israel to resume the fighting in Gaza after the second phase if the negotiations do not yield positive results, the source said Hamas "requested official international guarantees to prevent Israel from resuming the war and to commit to the terms of the agreement phases."

The U.S. has said Israel accepted the proposal, but Israel has not publicly stated this.

Also on Wednesday, two Egyptian security sources told Reuters that Hamas wanted written guarantees from the U.S. for a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip in order to sign off on the truce proposal.

Despite the negotiations, Israel continued its bombing and airstrikes in Gaza, with the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing conflict rising to 37,202, according to health authorities in Gaza.

Palestinian civilians who had been displaced by over eight months of fighting had hoped that the ceasefire plan would be put into effect.

"My house was bombed. How long are we going to have to endure the conflict?" a displaced Palestinian told CMG.

"We want a solution that will allow us to rest, so that we can live in peace and tranquility like the rest of the world, and not have to fight every time. Our children, only 16 or 17 years old, have already witnessed several armed conflicts."

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), said on Tuesday that more than 600,000 Palestinian children are being deprived of an education in the besieged enclave and are on the verge of becoming a lost generation.

(With input from agencies)