The proposal, presented by President Joe Biden last week, includes a six-week cessation of hostilities if Hamas agrees to the deal.

Under the three-part plan, there would also be a "surge" of humanitarian aid to the region, as well as an exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The ultimate goal is to achieve a permanent end to the war. However, the proposal has faced opposition from several members of Israel's government.

The negotiations are taking place as fighting continues in Rafah, which recently faced intense Israeli airstrikes. Reports from the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) indicate that all 36 of its shelters in the Rafah area are currently empty, as residents were forced to flee. Additionally, an estimated 1.7 million people are displaced in Khan Younis and parts of central Gaza.

Speaking to ABC News, Kirby expressed confidence that Israel would accept the proposed ceasefire deal if Hamas agrees to it. He stated, "We're waiting for an official response from Hamas," and expressed hope that both sides would begin the first phase of the plan "as soon as possible". During this initial six-week pause in the fighting, negotiations would take place to determine the specifics of the second phase.

In a televised address last week, President Biden outlined that the second phase would involve the return of all remaining hostages, including male soldiers. At this point, the ceasefire would become a permanent "cessation of hostilities".

However, two far-right Israeli ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, threatened to resign and destabilize the country's governing coalition if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the deal. They argued that no agreement should be made until Hamas is entirely destroyed.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has maintained a similar stance, asserting that there will be no ceasefire until Hamas's military and governing capabilities are eradicated and all hostages are released. In response, Kirby noted that the US intelligence believes Hamas has been significantly weakened and is unable to carry out large-scale attacks like the one conducted in early October. However, he acknowledged that Hamas still poses a viable threat to the safety of the Israeli people.

The conflict, which began in October, has resulted in a devastating loss of life. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 36,000 people have been killed across Gaza. The war commenced when Hamas gunmen launched a deadly attack on Israel, claiming the lives of approximately 1,200 people and taking 252 individuals as hostages.

President Biden has been facing mounting domestic criticism in the US over the level of support for Israel, with calls for increased efforts to facilitate negotiations between the warring parties. As the conflict continues, the international community watches closely for any developments in the quest for peace in Gaza.