Hamas ‘considering laying down arms'
The terror group is yet to respond formally to a proposal from the White House, aimed at freeing the hostages potentially within days.
However, Saudi outlet Asharq News reported, citing Hamas sources, that the organisation was showing 'flexibility' on the issue of possession, manufacture and smuggling of weapons under a post-war settlement.
Repeated attempts to reach a new deal have failed since February because Hamas refuses to release hostages without an Israeli guarantee to end the war, effectively leaving the terror group at large in the Strip.
At the same time, Israel has stopped short of committing not to resume fighting after the hostages are recovered.
Using the political momentum from his bombing of Iran and subsequent brokering of a peace deal between the Islamic Republic and Israel, Donald Trump is now effectively offering Hamas that guarantee himself, according to reports.
Sources say the president has committed to begin detailed discussions on ending the war on day one of a 60-day ceasefire, on which approximately eight hostages would walk free.
Arab nations have put forward a proposal for an interim technocrat government for Gaza, with the involvement of the Palestinian Authority.
An end to weapons smuggling
Similar discussions were due to begin some days into the January ceasefire deal with Hamas, but never materialised owing to Benjamin Netanyahu's domestic political constraints.
Israel then restarted its military campaign in mid-March.
According to Asharq, Hamas may commit to put an end to weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip and manufacturing its own weapons.
It may even commit to handing over its existing weapons.
There has also been suggestions that a symbolic number of senior Hamas figures would agree to go into exile.
However, Hamas has issued no formal response yet – although Mr Trump says he expects one within 24 hours – and the optimistic reports could amount to nothing.
The group has a history of appearing to entertain proposals only to introduce hurdles later in the process.
Israel has repeatedly said that Hamas can have no part in running a post-war Gaza government.
The question will be to what extent Mr Netanyahu's government is prepared to consider a staged process of reform.
Under what is known of the proposed agreement, Hamas would release 10 living hostages, approximately half of the total number it holds, and a number of bodies over the 60-day period.
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Two activists broke into RAF Brize Norton
