The deal comes more than 20 months into the conflict -- and more than three months after a previous deal ended.

Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to comment on Trump's announcement, and in their public statements the two sides remain far apart.

US President Donald Trump hopes to put Israel and Hamas on the path to ending the war in Gaza this week, but the 60-day ceasefire he’s proposing faces disagreements over troop redeployments and civilian relief.

But it added: "In light of an assessment of the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed that the invitation to proximity talks be accepted and that the contacts for the return of our hostages - on the basis of the Qatari proposal that Israel has agreed to - be continued. The negotiating team will leave tomorrow."

Israel has decided to send a delegation to Qatar for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official said, reviving hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations to end the almost 21-month war.