Hamas said Monday it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as Israel indicated its positions haven't changed, while Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,

In the statement, the Israeli PM also mentioned that the Netanyahu government and IDF are working on their plans regarding Gaza City.

Hamas said Monday it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as Israel indicated its positions haven't changed, while Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,

The deal the militant group said it accepted was nearly the same as one that had been offered by Israel last month.

Amid reports Hamas has given a positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal, Minister Israel Katz says the threat of an IDF operation in Gaza City allowed diplomacy to resume.

Hamas has long called for a comprehensive deal but says it will only release the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The group has refused to lay down its arms, as Israel has demanded.