JERUSALEM — A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive on some of the territory’s most populated areas.

A senior Israeli official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any future Gaza deal, after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal.  Speaking on the condition of anonymity,

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Israel signalled its positions haven’t changed, while U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the long-running negotiations

As Qatar’s PM visits Egypt, Hamas says the group accepted a draft truce deal put forward by mediators, Doha and Cairo.