Israel's 1-word remark on permanent ceasefire for Gaza as new strikes hit the Strip

Israel and Hamas could agree on a ceasefire and hostage release scheme in "one or two weeks", officials say. However, a permanent cessation of the conflict has been branded "questionable". A top Israeli official has appeared to rebuff Donald Trump's claims that an end to the 21-month war in Gaza could be agreed this week, suggesting that a ceasefire was possible within "a week, two weeks - not a day". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will depart the US on Thursday following days of talks with the country's president, as American mediators seek to secure a pause in the conflict to free Israeli hostages and allow much-needed aid to enter Gaza.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump said an Israel-backed agreement was "very close" and speculated that it could happen this week, although "not definitely". Israeli officials didn't appear optimistic about the prospect of a lasting ceasefire within any timeframe, however, with one top-level government figure warning: "We will begin negotiations on a permanent settlement. But [will] we achieve it? It's questionable, but Hamas will not be there."

The government source added that a ceasefire lasting beyond 60 days would only be possible if and when Hamas completely lays down its arms. "If they don't, we'll proceed [with the war]," they told Sky News.

While a breakthrough in negotiations could be announced before Netanyahu's departure from the US later today, the last day of his visit has coincided with a raft of new Israeli strikes in Gaza.

At least eight Palestinians, including a young girl, were killed in the Gaza Strip during a civilian bomb strike in the Al-Zayouton neighbourhood on Thursday morning, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reports.

Medical sources told the agency that 31 Palestinians in total had been killed across the Strip since dawn on Thursday, including 14 in Deir al-Balah and three near Haidar Square in central Gaza city.

Israel's offensive, which began after Hamas killed around 1,200 people and took 250 hostage on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 civilians, the majority of whom were women and children, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry.

Netanyahu told US reporters on Tuesday that he and Trump saw "eye to eye" on the need to destroy Hamas and said "opportunities [had] been opened for expanding the circle of peace".

He also said cooperation between Israel and the US was at the best it has ever been in his country's 77-year history.