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.

A Hamas official said the group has rejected an Israeli proposal for a Gaza ceasefire, and that negotiations are continuing. That came after an Israeli official said the ceasefire talks hit last-minute snag, potentially holding up the deal.

Months of shuttle diplomacy have failed to end the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. Around 105 captives were later released in a weeklong cease-fire in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.