While in Washington for his third visit since Trump’s return to the White House, Netanyahu met with the U.S. president on Monday. Trump expressed optimism that a deal could be finalized soon, telling reporters that negotiations were moving forward and that Hamas appeared ready to engage constructively.

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."

Hamas and Israel were resuming talks in Qatar, an unnamed Palestinian official says, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump, who has pushed for a “deal this week.”