By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi TEL AVIV/CAIRO (Reuters) -Hamas leaders were due to discuss what U.S. President Donald Trump has called a "final proposal" for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza on Friday evening,

Hamas said its response to a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal "can be characterized as positive" and stressed it is ready to start negotiations on the implementation. Why it matters: President Trump has been pushing both Hamas through Qatari and Egyptian mediators and Israel to agree on a deal that includes a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 10 live hostages and 18 deceased hostages.

Hamas said it is seeking an end to the war and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid as it is expected to announce a decision on a new U.S. ceasefire proposal to which U.S. President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed.