Hamas has submitted its response to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal, a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations told Reuters on Friday, describing the response as a positive one that should "facilitate reaching a deal.

Hamas said Friday it was holding consultations with other Palestinian factions on a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the civil defence agency said Israel's ongoing offensive killed more than 50 people.

Hamas says it is consulting other Palestinian groups before giving a formal response to the latest proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal put forward by the US. President Donald Trump said on Friday morning that expected to know within 24 hours whether Hamas has agreed to the plan.