US President Donald Trump has voiced confidence that a ceasefire deal in Gaza could be agreed this week after Hamas announced that it had “submitted a positive response” to a proposal for a 60-day truce with Israel.

Hamas has warned that no Israeli hostages would be released without Israel making a "serious deal" with the group and that it will determine the terms.Newsweek has reached out to the Israeli Prime Minister's office and the U.

Israeli officials said on Tuesday that gaps can be bridged between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas at peace talks in Qatar, though it may take more than a few days to reach a deal to free hostages and halt fighting.