Washington sends Burns to Cairo and is optimistic about the negotiations. The proposal stipulates a temporary halt to the fighting and an exchange of prisoners between the two sides.
Hamas responded by accepting the proposal in principle and demanded the liberation of prominent Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ response to the proposal and pledged to deal a “deadly blow” to the movement. Last night, Israel launched intense air strikes on Rafah, killing more than 100 Palestinians. It said that it was able to free two of its more than 130 prisoners detained in Gaza.