Hamas said it had responded on Friday in "a positive spirit" to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks on implementing the deal, which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict.

While Hamas has suggested it is willing to talk, Israeli officials are considering how to respond to a US-brokered, 60-day ceasefire proposal in Gaza. But in Gaza itself, the violence has continued, with health officials there reporting that at least 70 people have been killed in the last 24 hours.