Negotiators are suddenly expected to resume negotiations in Doha, Qatar, shortly after Israel signaled it is preparing to wind down major military operations in Gaza after nine months of war.

A senior US official said a new proposal by Hamas could lead to a pact that would be a step to a permanent ceasefire.   15:28 Al Jazeera are reporting that there is a lack of news coming from Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighbourhood where an Israeli ground invasion is continuing.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza were gathering momentum on Friday after Hamas made a revised proposal on the terms of a deal and Israel said it would resume stalled negotiations.