Hamas said it has agreed to a deal proposed by Qatar and Egypt to pause the militant group’s war with Israel in Gaza, fueling optimism that a long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations could be close.

Hamas says it has agreed to a new Gaza ceasefire proposal as mediators from Qatar and Egypt push to renew talks ahead of a major Israeli assault on Gaza City.

Hamas officials said they have accepted a ceasefire proposal that includes a pause in military operations for 60 days and the release of 28 Israeli hostages — 18 of whom are believed to be dead — in e