U.S. presses Israel and Hamas to accept updated offer for Gaza ceasefire

• The Israeli military said on Sunday that ground forces began operating in multiple areas in the northern and southern Gaza Strip as part of an operation called "Gideon's Chariots."
• IDF officials said five infantry and armored divisions are participating in the operation, which includes reoccupying the entire Gaza Strip and flattening it.

Behind the scenes: While Israel and Hamas both have negotiation teams in Doha, the real talks about Witkoff's proposal are occurring through other channels at the moment, the sources said.

• The White House envoy has been talking directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his confidant Ron Dermer, as well as with Hamas leadership in Doha through a backchannel facilitated by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah.
• This backchannel was crucial in securing the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander last week.

Witkoff's updated offer is similar to previous ones and includes the release of 10 hostages in return for 45-60 days of ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners, according to an Israeli official and a source with direct knowledge of the proposal.

• But it differs from previous proposals with new language that makes clear the new ceasefire and hostage deal will be the beginning of a broader move that could end the war.
• The new language is aimed at giving guarantees to Hamas that Netanyahu won't be able to unilaterally decide the ceasefire is over and resume the war, as he did in March.

What they're saying: "The new offer tries to give Hamas confidence that it's worth moving forward with a partial deal now, because it could lead to the end of the war later on," a source with knowledge of the negotiations said.

• The sources said Netanyahu has given a positive response, but with many conditions and reservations. Hamas still hasn't given a positive answer, and sources said the group wants to get a clear guarantee that a temporary ceasefire could lead to a permanent one.
• "The talks in Doha in recent days are a facade. This is not where the real negotiations are taking place at the moment. If Hamas and Israel agree to the principles of the Witkoff proposal, the negotiations will move to Doha to discuss the details," an Israeli official said.

Between the lines: Hamas officials were disappointed that Alexander's release hasn't led to a more favorable U.S. position towards them, a source with knowledge of the issue said.

• The Israeli strike that targeted Mohammed Sinwar, the leader of Hamas' military wing, created even more frustration inside Hamas' leadership regarding negotiations with the Trump administration.
• Sinwar is believed to have been killed, along with several other Hamas senior commanders, Israeli officials say.

State of play: The Trump administration is also pressing the Israeli government to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza immediately, sources say.

• Witkoff told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that Trump is concerned about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
• "The Israelis have indicated that they're going to begin to allow a lot more of these trucks to get in," Witkoff said, before adding that the situation is "logistically complicated. And the conditions on the ground are dangerous."
• But, Witkoff continued: "We do not want to see a humanitarian crisis, and we will not allow it to occur on President Trump's watch."