Relatives and friends of hostages held in Gaza march in Tel Aviv, Israel

Mothers of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip marched in Tel Aviv, calling for the return of their loved ones.

Palestinian militants are still holding around 80 hostages and the remains of 40 others.

On Thursday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that negotiators were being sent to resume cease-fire talks following Hamas' latest response to a U.S.-backed proposal.

Yael Alexander, the mother of a 19-year-old taken hostage while serving in the military, marched on Friday, July 5. She stated, "I come today to scream as a mum, that nine months my kid is in Gaza, in the tunnel of Hamas, and he needs to come back home. We need a deal and we need it now."

Israeli negotiators are expected to arrive in Qatar’s capital, where U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari officials are already present in Doha.

The U.S. proposed a plan that would see the release of all hostages in return for a lasting truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, neither side has fully embraced the plan. Hamas suggested "amendments" to the proposal last month, while Netanyahu has so far rejected an end to the war.

Hamas political official Bassem Naim said the group has neither accepted nor rejected the U.S. proposal but has “responded with some ideas to bridge the gap” between the two sides. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top political leader, has shared suggestions with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish officials, the group said in a statement late Wednesday.

U.S. officials have stated that the latest proposal includes new language proposed to Egypt and Qatar on Saturday, June 29, addressing indirect negotiations set to commence during the first phase of the three-phase deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden in a May 31 speech.

Phases of the Plan

1. First Phase: A “full and complete cease-fire,” withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people, and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
2. Second Phase: Negotiations during the 42 days of phase one to release all remaining men, both civilians and soldiers, in return for the release of more Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Releases occur only after “sustainable calm” and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.
3. Third Phase: Return of the remains of hostages.

The transition from the first to the second phase appears to be the main sticking point. Hamas is concerned that Israel will restart the war after the first phase, potentially making unrealistic demands. Israeli officials worry Hamas might prolong the talks and cease-fire indefinitely without releasing the remaining captives.

In a television interview last month, Netanyahu mentioned being prepared for a “partial deal” but committed to continuing the war “after a pause” to annihilate Hamas. Speaking before Israel's parliament, he said Israel remains committed to the deal outlined by Biden, but the official position remains unclear.

As cease-fire talks gain momentum, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported the death toll in the war has climbed past 38,000.