More than seven months after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, the Israeli military continues its bombardment of the neighboring Gaza Strip.

A response from Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Israel's ceasefire proposal that U.S. President Joe Biden revealed on Friday is still being awaited, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday.

President Biden on Monday urged Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to pressure Hamas to accept the cease-fire proposal Israel offered. The two leaders spoke on the phone, during which they confirmed that the cease-fire and hostage release deal is on the table and that the next step is Hamas taking it.