The first phase, spanning a 42-day ceasefire, would see the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, U.S. officials said.

The terms of a deal between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are being finalised, a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations has told the BBC. It comes as White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said a truce and hostage deal could be done "this week".

Mediator Qatar said on Tuesday that a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas is closer than at any time in the past, as the Israelis also expressed optimism over the release of hostages.