"Time for the haggling to stop": Blinken says Hamas didn't accept ceasefire deal

Secretary of State Tony Blinken said Wednesday that Hamas has not accepted the U.S.-backed proposal for a hostage and ceasefire deal and presented "numerous changes" that go beyond its previous positions.

Why it matters: The U.S. and international mediators see the proposal as the best chance to end eight months of war. About 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza and more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel in the war in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

Driving the news: Hamas sent its response to the proposal to Egyptian and Qatari mediators on Tuesday evening.