Positive signals in Gaza ceasefire talks: sources

Egypt, one of the mediators in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations, has received positive indications from Israel over a new ceasefire proposal that would include a transitional phase, security sources said on Thursday.

The proposal suggests resistance movement Hamas release five Israeli hostages each week, sources said.

A security delegation from Egypt has left for Qatar for talks, which will include increasing aid to the enclave and releasing remaining hostages, state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said.

Violence has escalated in Gaza since a January truce broke down on March 18 after two months of relative calm.

Asked about the latest proposal, a Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts said "there are some offers that look better than the previous ones".

Israel says it would be willing to extend the ceasefire temporarily if Hamas releases more hostages, but without moving yet to a second phase during which it would negotiate a permanent end to the war.

Palestinian health authorities said that at least 30 people have been killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza yesterday.

At least 855 people, over half of them children and women, have been killed since Israel resumed major military strikes in Gaza on March 18, according to Gaza's health ministry.