The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches concluded a regular meeting in Beirut on Thursday with a call for ending the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and condemnation of attacks on Palestinians by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Israel and Hamas may be able to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal within one or two weeks but such an agreement is not likely to be secured in just a day's time, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

Israel agrees to Trump-led 60-day ceasefire proposal for Gaza, aiming to end the war and secure a hostage deal, with Qatar and Egypt delivering the final proposal to Hamas.

A Gaza ceasefire deal could open the door to a much broader peace agreement. The “day after” in the tragic war in Gaza might finally be approaching, as Israel, the United States and key Arab states discuss terms for what officials hope could be a lasting truce.

Trump announces that Israel accepted a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, during which efforts will be made to end the war

Hamas on Thursday said it opposes any ceasefire deal that includes a large Israeli military presence in Gaza, after offering to release some hostages and as the civil defence reported scores of civilians killed across the Palestinian territory.