Hamas has also reportedly received a roadmap prepared by US special envoy Steve Witkoff

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled his readiness to accept the latest ceasefire proposal put forward by the US, several media outlets reported on Thursday.

According to the publications, Netanyahu made the remark during a meeting with the relatives of hostages who are still in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Hamas has also confirmed receiving US special envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal, saying that it was studying it to check if the plan "serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."

Haaretz newspaper quoted an anonymous Israeli official as saying that Washington's proposal envisages the release of the remaining 10 living hostages and the return of 18 bodies held in Gaza by Hamas over the course of a week. In exchange, Netanyahu's government would reportedly agree to a 60-day cease-fire.

The Jerusalem Post cited an unnamed source as saying that Hamas has reservations regarding Washington's plan, and sees it as favoring Israel. The Islamist militant group is reportedly wary of the fact that the US would not provide a guarantee that the temporary 60-day ceasefire would be extended to become permanent.

The latest developments have come amid an intensified Israeli assault on Gaza in recent days, including a fresh wave of airstrikes and a major ground offensive codenamed 'Operation Gideon's Chariots.'

Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that the military action will not cease until Hamas has been totally vanquished.

Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, negotiations between the two belligerents have been going on for some time in Doha, albeit producing little progress so far.

The current escalation began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 250 more. According to Palestinian authorities, the ensuing IDF military campaign has claimed the lives of more than 50,000 residents of the densely populated enclave.