Intensified efforts by Egypt probes Hamas to review a new Israeli proposal to end the months-long planned offensive attack into Rafah, the southern city of Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, senior Hamas official, said that the Palestinian militant group was evaluating Israel’s proposal, and “upon completion of its study, it will submit its response.”

According to media reports, Israel has demanded the release of at least 33 hostages by Hamas and a ceasefire as a last chance to prevent the planned attack on the city of Rafah. Israel also refuses to allow Hamas, in particular its leader Yahya al-Sinwar, to delay the hostage deal. According to Israel’s internal report, out of the 129 Israeli hostages, 33 are elderly, women, or ill. “This is the last chance before we go to Rafah,” the Times of Israel quoted the unnamed Israeli government official as saying. “It’s either an agreement in the future or Rafah.” Hamas is also calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a demand that Israel’s government rejects.