The White House said that the latest proposal for the exchange deal between Hamas and Israel includes stopping the fighting for 6 weeks.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby explained that the Hamas exchange deal proposal was negotiated with Israel “in good faith” to stop the fighting for 6 weeks.

Kirby defended Israel, saying, "There can be no doubt about the seriousness of the Israelis in negotiating the new hostage agreement proposal." He added, "We are waiting for Hamas' response to the agreement proposal, and it should be 'yes'."

He also added, "We do not want to see a major invasion of Rafah that would endanger the lives of more than a million people."

Ben Gvir: Netanyahu promised me to invade Rafah

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised him that Israel would enter Rafah and that the war would not end.

Ben Gvir also quoted Netanyahu as promising not to reach an “inappropriate” deal with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the army will carry out an operation against the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, whether or not a ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners and detainees is reached.

He added, "The idea of ending the war before achieving the goals is not an option."