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.”

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."

Israeli military officials have issued strong warnings over a government proposal to establish a large-scale “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza, cautioning that the plan could take months to implement and risk derailing fragile ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas.

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.

Hamas has been terminally weakened by Israel’s offensive. A lieutenant colonel in its security forces told the BBC that it has lost control of about 80 per cent of Gaza and there is “barely anything left” of its military structures.

Netanyahu met Israeli President Isaac Herzog for talks on Gaza and efforts to expand ties with Arab states before his departure for the United States at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT). In Tel Aviv on Saturday, protesters gathered for a weekly rally demanding the return of hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli forces have bombed a house in Gaza City, killing 12 people, as airstrikes across the enclave leaves 27 dead.

A new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas may be within reach — but key questions remain. Hostages, humanitarian aid, and political pressure are shaping what happens next.

As Houthi attacks on regional shipping lanes escalate, Israel has urged the United States to resume military operations against the Iran-backed group and to help form a broader international coalition,