White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby announced on Monday that a proposal for the hostage release with Israel has been presented to Hamas and that the parties involved are now waiting for the group’s response. Speaking to reporters, Kirby confirmed that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns was a member of the US’s delegation on the negotiations in Cairo. Furthermore, he insisted that Washington found “no signs” Israel is planning an “imminent” and “major ground operation” in Rafah. Earlier in the day, Qatar, one of the mediators in the talks, expressed optimism about Israel and Hamas reaching a new deal.