A senior Hamas official has said the group approved a new Gaza ceasefire proposal put forth by mediators, urging Israel to back it but warning the Iran-backed group's weapons were a "red line".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed it had also received a proposal from the mediators and had submitted a counter-proposal in response.
"Two days ago, we received a proposal from the mediating brothers in Egypt and Qatar," Khalil al-Haya said in a televised address for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
"We dealt with it positively and approved it. We hope that the occupation (Israel) will not obstruct it," he said, adding "the weapons of the resistance are a red line".
Mr Netanyahu's office confirmed it had received a proposal from mediators.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday, held a series of consultations pursuant to the proposal that was received from the mediators," his office said in a statement.
"A few hours ago, Israel conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the US," it said without elaborating.
A day earlier, senior Hamas official Bassem Naim had said talks between the Palestinian militant group and mediators over a ceasefire deal were gaining momentum as Israel continues intensive operations in Gaza.
Palestinian sources close to Hamas had told AFP that talks began Thursday evening between the militant group and mediators from Egypt and Qatar to revive a ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into force on 19 January after 15 months of war and involved a halt to fighting, the release of some of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners.
Phase two of the three-phase deal is intended to focus on agreements on the release of the remaining hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Hamas says any proposals must allow the launch of the second phase, while Israel has offered to expand the first 42-day phase.
Israel and the US say Hamas must not have a role in post-war Gaza arrangements.
Israeli military strikes on Gaza continued, killing at least 20 Palestinians across the enclave yesterday, health authorities said.
The Israeli military said it had begun "ground activity" in the Jneina neighbourhood of the Rafah area to expand what it described as the security zone in southern Gaza.
On 18 March, Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Gaza, which it said were intended to increase pressure on Hamas to free hostages.
It has since issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of residents in several areas in northern and southern Gaza, citing rocket firing into Israeli territories.
More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli offensive in Gaza, Palestinian officials said.
Hamas releases hostage video
Meanwhile Hamas' armed wing released footage showing an Israeli hostage in Gaza calling on the government to secure his release, the second such video shared by the militant group within days.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum campaign group identified the man as Elkana Bohbot, who was abducted from the site of a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas's 7 October 2023 that prompted the war.
The footage lasts more than three minutes, showing Mr Bohbot speaking in Hebrew and pleading for his freedom.
AFP could not verify when or where in Gaza the video was recorded.
Mr Bohbot was also seen along with another captive, Yosef Haim Ohana, in a video released on Monday by the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing.
In that footage, the two men spoke about the dangers they have faced since resumption of Israeli air strikes on Gaza.
During the most recent video, Mr Bohbot again says the ongoing bombardment could cost him his life, asking to be reunited with his wife and son.
Since Israel renewed its offensive in Gaza, Hamas has warned that the military operations could put the hostages in danger.
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, 58 remain in captivity in Gaza including 34 whom the Israeli military says are dead.
