President Donald Trump said a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas could be reached as soon as this week, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A senior Israeli official told Reuters a deal may be reached within one or two weeks.

Israeli strikes pounded the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, killing at least 34 Palestinians, according to local hospitals.

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have said they believe a 60-day deal to return half the hostages and a temporary ceasefire in Gaza will happen soon.

Hamas is seeking guarantees that a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza would lead to the war's end, a source close to the militant group said on Thursday, as medics said Israeli strikes across the territory had killed scores more people.

Hamas said it had responded on in "a positive spirit" to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks.

President Donald Trump said negotiators are “very close” to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, raising optimism for a long-elusive agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the US.