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 is sending a delegation to Qatar for negotiations on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, according to a Reuters report citing an unnamed Israeli official. Hamas on Friday said it issued a response to a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a "positive spirit."