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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington Monday to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a ceasefire that might lead to an end to the 21-month war in Gaza.

The US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the conflict, an official familiar with the negotiations has said.