Biden's ceasfire deal reflects proposal worked on with Israel: US National Security spokesperson

Discussing the ceasefire deal, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, "We're awaiting an official response by them (Hamas).

This gives them what they've been looking for, which is a ceasefire, and over time and through the phases the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. So they ought to take this deal, it's very forward leading, it's good for the people of Gaza, good for the Israeli people – and they just need to move forward on it."

Biden presented a plan on Friday for an “enduring ceasefire” that he said was approved by Israel, however, Israeli leaders have seemingly rejected the plan in public statements throwing the proposal into disarray. 

According to Kirby, President Biden wanted to make the proposal public "to try to energize the process and catalyze a different outcome."

He added: "This wasn't about jamming the prime minister or the war cabinet. This was about laying bare for the public to see how well and how faithfully and how assertively the Israelis came up with a new proposal, how it shows how much they really want to get this done.

"If anything, this was about putting some public pressure on Mr Sinwar. I've heard different statements coming out of Israel," Kirby said.

"The Israeli defence minister himself acknowledged that this was the Israeli proposal, and we're confident that it accurately reflects, a proposal that we worked with the Israelis on. I know of no gaps to speak of."