Hamas has pushed for a permanent truce while Israel has held out for a temporary one. That wide gap has stymied efforts to end the war.

The U.S. government is awaiting a response from Hamas to a U.S. ceasefire proposal in Israel, which the Israeli government has already accepted.

Lead Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya made the announcement in a televised speech on Thursday. Late last month, Israel and Hamas appeared to be making progress following discussions mediated by Qatar,