Israel has decided to send a delegation to Qatar for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official said, reviving hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations to end the almost 21-month war.

While Hamas has suggested it is willing to talk, Israeli officials are considering how to respond to a US-brokered, 60-day ceasefire proposal in Gaza. But in Gaza itself, the violence has continued, with health officials there reporting that at least 70 people have been killed in the last 24 hours.