News agency AP is quoting a Hamas official, saying the group will respond “very soon” to a proposal aimed at securing the first extended ceasefire since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

The proposal followed talks in Paris involving intelligence chiefs from Israel, the US and Egypt, with the prime minister of Qatar.

It would pave the way for an extended pause in fighting and phased exchanges of Hamas-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. 

The only truce so far lasted for a week in late November. 

It saw the release of more than 100 women, children and foreign hostages held by Hamas, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Protesters in Tel Aviv are pictured below staging a demonstration yesterday evening, calling for an immediate deal to bring home the remaining hostages.

Hundreds of people, including families of the hostages, took part in the protest, with traffic on a major highway blocked for around 20 minutes. 

Of the 136 hostages held in Gaza, over 100 are believed to still be alive.