Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington on Monday, fueling hopes for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. The radical Islamist Hamas recently announced that it is consulting with other Palestinian groups about the US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump says he expects a response from Hamas on Saturday.

Positions have recently appeared to have hardened: While Hamas is calling for a permanent end to the fighting, Netanyahu has reiterated his goal of destroying Hamas.

According to Palestinian sources, at least 15 people were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip on Friday.