Hamas said it had responded on Friday in "a positive spirit" to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks on implementing the deal, which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict.

Hamas and Israel staked out their positions ahead of expected talks on a Washington-backed ceasefire proposal.

Ceasefire plan includes hostage-prisoner swap and pause in bombing, but final approval from Netanyahu still awaited