Axios: Israel Not Shutting Door On Hostage Deal

Axios reporting that although Israel told Egyptian and Qatari mediators late Thursday that it, "rejects most of Hamas' demands in its response to the latest hostage deal proposal, it is ready to launch negotiations based on the original proposal put forth two weeks ago."

• According to Axios, "Israel's response shows it's not shutting the door on negotiating a new hostage deal, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strong public rebuke of Hamas' demands earlier this week."
• The report states that an Israeli official said that, "Israeli negotiators are in constant talks with the mediators in order to try and close the gaps and reach a point that will allow holding serious proximity talks in Cairo between Israel and Hamas."
• Comes after US President Joe Biden said at a press conference at the White House yesterday on Israel's actions, “I'm of the view…that the conduct of the response in…the Gaza strip has been over the top.”
• Biden added: “I'm pushing very hard now to deal with this hostage/ceasefire. I think if we could get that… initial [sustained pause], I think that we would be able to extend that, so that we can increase the prospect that this fighting in Gaza changes.”