Hamas handed over lists on Wednesday of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged in a swap, and said it was optimistic about negotiations to end the war in Gaza, report agencies.
Top US envoys and prominent regional figures have joined the third day of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt on President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
On Wednesday, senior figures from the US, Qatar, Israel and Turkey entered the talks, reflecting an attempt to push toward substantive resolution.
Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly sent Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to join the negotiation team. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Trump's son-in-law) were also expected to play more active roles.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and the head of Turkish intelligence, Ibrahim Kalin were also expected to participate.
Meanwhile, at least eight Palestinians have been killed and 61 injured in new Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave's Health Ministry.
Israel has intercepted another fleet of Gaza-bound aid ships carrying journalists, activists and medical professionals according to organizers.
The talks are focusing initially on three core issues: a ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and the terms of a hostage-prisoner swap.
A major sticking point remains: Israel's demand for Hamas to disarm (i.e. surrender its weapons) - Hamas continues to reject this demand while Israeli forces remain in Gaza.
Hamas also seeks guarantees that Israel will not resume military operations after hostages are released.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meanwhile said that Trump had asked him during a recent phone call to "persuade" Hamas to accept his plan.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are being held at the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh, based on a 20-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump last month.
The timing of the implementation of the first phase of Trump's 20-point initiative has not yet been agreed, the source said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend a ministerial meeting on Thursday in Paris with European, Arab and other states to discuss Gaza's post-war transition, three diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.
The meeting, which will be held in parallel with the negotiations in Egypt, is intended to discuss how to implement Trump's plan and assess countries' collective commitments.
Many Gazans have been displaced repeatedly as they face hunger and shortages of fuel, water and medical supplies.
"Winter is coming ... the water is going through (my tent), the rats are coming after us, the mosquitoes and flies," said displaced Gazan Raed Shahine.
Trump expressed optimism about progress toward a deal on Tuesday, the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Israeli military assault on Gaza.
