Tel Aviv, Israel

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (Feb 6) said that Hamas' response to a proposal truce deal in Gaza was 'a little over the top'. He said that while "there is some movement [on the hostage deal negotiations]," Hamas' response "seems to be a little over the top." "We are not sure where it is going and we continue to negotiate," he added.

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Earlier, Hamas said it responded to a framework proposal for a new ceasefire deal on Tuesday (Feb 6), which the US and Israel are believed to be reviewing. The provisions of the deal have been hammered out by Israel, the US, Qatar and Egypt, however, the details have not been released yet.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is playing a key role in mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, said he was "optimistic" and noted that the militant group's response to the blueprint was "in general positive".

Blinken's statement

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Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was reviewing the response and would discuss it with Israeli officials on Wednesday (Feb 7). "There's still a lot of work to do be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible," he said in Doha.

Watch: UNRWA Crisis: Israel demands UNRWA be stripped of authority in Gaza

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Details of the deal

As per sources quoted by international media, the deal includes provisions regarding rebuilding Gaza, the return of its residents to their homes and the provisions for those who had been displaced. It also seeks a change relating to the treatment of those injured, including the transfer of some abroad.

Also read: Israel-Hamas war: Half of adults in US say Israel’s campaign in Gaza has gone ‘too far’

According to the Times of India, the deal will see at least 40 days of truce once approved, along with the release of civilian hostages held by Hamas.

The only truce between the two warring sides was agreed in November for just four days and extended to last a week. At the time, Hamas released 110 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

(With inputs from agencies)