CAIRO, Sept 5 (v7n)- The White House is urgently working on a new proposal aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the release of hostages held by Hamas. This initiative comes as U.S. officials, along with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, seek to resolve a prolonged stalemate in negotiations.

A senior Biden administration official indicated that while much of the deal has been agreed upon, two significant obstacles remain: Israel's demand to maintain military presence in the Philadelphi corridor and the specifics of the hostage exchange.

The urgency of the situation has intensified following the recent killing of six hostages by Hamas, which has complicated negotiations.
As discussions continue, the U.S. is shifting from a consultative approach to a more assertive stance in pushing for a ceasefire plan.

The revised proposal is expected to be presented soon, with some officials suggesting it could be ready as early as this weekend. However, the situation remains delicate, as five Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, have rejected Israel's demand to keep troops in the Philadelphi corridor, a critical buffer zone along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his stance that Israel must retain control of this area to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties, with nearly 41,000 Palestinians reported killed and widespread destruction in Gaza.

The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, prompting calls for immediate action from international mediators. As the U.S. negotiators, led by CIA Director William Burns, work to finalize the proposal, the situation remains fluid, with both sides expressing skepticism about reaching a lasting agreement.