The ball is now in Israel’s court. We would like a positive response from them as soon as possible," Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told NBC News.

Israel is studying Hamas' response to a Gaza ceasefire proposal for a 60-day truce and the release of half the hostages still held in the enclave, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

Some members of Israel’s coalition have ruled out a proposed hostage deal with Hamas, but the prime minister has yet to state his position.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shifted Israel’s stance and demanded the release of all 50 remaining hostages at once. The move coincided with Netanyahu’s declaration that Israel intends to occupy Gaza City and other areas of the territory in an effort to ratchet up pressure on the group.

The Gaza ceasefire proposal Hamas accepted on Monday - with an Israeli response expected by the end of the week - is for a 60-day truce, a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop pullouts from parts of Gaza,

Official says plan would see 60-day ceasefire, hostage release in two phases; Qatari PM reportedly traveling to Egypt to meet with Hamas representatives, Egyptian president