Yahoo TV

STORY: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS SCRIPT UPDATES AN EARLIER STORY WITH HAMAS'S STATEMENT ON NEGOTIATIONS.

A senior Hamas official said on Tuesday the Palestinian militant group had accepted a United Nations-backed ceasefire resolution and is ready to negotiate details, a move the U.S. called a 'hopeful sign.'

Qatari and Egyptian mediators said they had received a formal reply from Hamas to the truce proposal.

And Hamas and its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing "readiness to positively" reach a deal to end the war in Gaza.

:: June 10, 2024

The U.N. Security Council approved U.S. President Joe Biden's proposal for a truce on Monday.

Biden's proposal would pause fighting in the Gaza Strip and facilitate the return of Israelis held hostage by Hamas... ultimately leading to an end to the war.

“We have the prospect of an immediate ceasefire, building toward an enduring one and tremendous relief for people in Gaza..."

In a visit to Tel Aviv on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded to Hamas's statement with measured optimism.

“Well, I say it is a hopeful sign just as the statement they issued after the President made his proposal 10 days ago, was hopeful. but it’s not dis-positive."

Both Israel and Hamas suggested on Tuesday the plan fit their clashing goals, raising doubt whether any genuine headway towards a deal had been made.

:: Released October 7, 2023

The war began when Hamas-led Palestinian militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's retaliatory air and ground onslaught in Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the Gaza health ministry said on Tuesday. Israeli strikes have reduced most of the densely-populated coastal enclave to wasteland.

Blinken traveled from Israel to neighboring Jordan for a summit on the humanitarian response for Gaza's 2.3 million residents, most of whom are now homeless.

The American diplomat announced more than $400 million in assistance for Palestinians.