Hamas drops key demand in ceasefire talks: report

The AP reports that Hamas has given initial approval for a US-backed ceasefire deal in Gaza, dropping a key demand that Israel commits to a permanent ceasefire.

Quoting a Hamas official and an Egyptian official, AP says the first stage comprises of a "full and complete" six-week ceasefire that would see the release of several hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli forces would also withdraw from populated areas in Gaza and allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

Hamas and Israel would also be negotiating the terms of the second phase, which would see the release of the remaining male hostages, both civilians and soldiers, in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners.

The third phase would see "the return of any remaining hostages, including bodies of dead captives, and the start of a years-long reconstruction project," the officials told the AP.

Hamas still wants "written guarantees" from mediators that Israel will remain committed to negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire deal once the first phase goes into effect.

The Palestinian group's approval came after it got "verbal commitments and guarantees" from mediators that the war will not resume and that negotiations will remain ongoing until a permanent ceasefire is reached.