A senior Hamas official said on Friday that talks between the Palestinian movement and mediators over a ceasefire deal are gaining momentum, with more than 900 people killed in Gaza since Israel resumed strikes earlier this month.
"We hope that the coming days will bring a real breakthrough in the war situation, following intensified communications with and between mediators in recent days," Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said in a statement.
Palestinian sources close to Hamas had told AFP that talks began on Thursday evening between the group and mediators from Egypt and Qatar to revive a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza.
The talks aim to "achieve a ceasefire, open border crossings, (and) allow humanitarian aid in," Naim said on Friday.
Most importantly, he said, the proposal aims to bring about a resumption in "negotiations on the second phase, which must lead to a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of occupation forces".