US President Donald Trump says he’s “optimistic” a ceasefire deal in Gaza could be agreed next week after Hamas announced that it had “submitted a positive response” to a proposal for a 60-day truce with Israel.

Hamas said it is seeking an end to the war and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid as it is expected to announce a decision on a new U.S. ceasefire proposal to which U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed.

Hamas said on late Friday that it has delivered a "positive response" to mediators on the latest proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal put forward by the US.