The decision came after Hamas said it had responded positively to an American-backed cease-fire proposal. President Trump says he hopes for a truce as soon as next week.

New details have emerged of the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal submitted by mediators to Hamas, while Israel has sent a negotiating team to Qatar ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit.

Meanwhile, two explosive devices were detonated against Israeli soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, killing five soldiers and injuring 14 more. The soldiers have been named as Meir Shimon Amar, Moshe Nissim Frech and Noam Aharon Musgadian, all aged 20, Benyamin Asulin, 28, and Moshe Shmuel Noll, 21.

US President Donald Trump says a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel could occur this week as truce talks resume in Qatar.

PM's second sit-down with Trump in as many days ends with no public component; Witkoff delays Doha trip in sign talks not yet ripe after expressing optimism about reaching deal this week

Gaza mediators are engaging with Israel and Hamas to build on momentum from this week's ceasefire with Iran and work towards a truce in the Palestinian territory, Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said.