Defense & National Security — Israel, Hamas inch toward new deal

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View Online Defense & National Security Defense & National Security The Big Story  New hope for cease-fire, hostage release in Gaza Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending a new delegation of negotiators to Qatar after receiving a more promising proposal from Hamas. © AP Photo Talks on the latest proposal are slated to begin in Doha, Qatar, in the coming days.    A senior U.S. administration official told reporters Thursday that while there is still "significant work" to be done, the latest proposal from Hamas shows promise.   "I think it's fair to say now the framework is very much in place," the official said. "We do believe there is a pretty significant opening here."   Netanyahu held a phone call with President Biden on Thursday and told the U.S. leader he was sending the Israeli negotiation team.   The latest deal, backed by the United Nations, involves a proposal Biden outlined in May, in which Hamas would release the remaining 120 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.   Then there would be an Israeli withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza and a continued pause in fighting while negotiations continue for a permanent cease-fire.   The senior U.S. official said there was roadblocks in the talks about jumping from the initial prisoner exchange to a permanent cease-fire, but that the latest proposal is a "breakthrough" toward addressing the issue.   Israel and Hamas exchanged dozens of hostages and prisoners in November but have failed to reach another deal since.   The Palestinian militant group has called for a total cease-fire and Netanyahu has pushed for the complete destruction of Hamas.   Hamas said in statements on Friday it was working on the cease-fire and hostage release deal but pledged to end the fighting in Gaza.   Netanyahu's office said in a readout that the prime minister reiterated in the call with Biden that he remains committed "to end the war only after all of [Israel's] goals have been achieved."   More than 38,000 people have died since the war began in October. Israel launched the war in retaliation for a deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.   The senior U.S. official said the latest proposal will protect Israeli interests and bring relief to Gaza.   "It's a well-crafted deal," the official said, "and it's time to bring it to closure.   Read the full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. 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