Hamas divided over latest US ceasefire proposals

The row is said to come down to a split between group’s political leadership in Qatar, which favours the deal, and its military leadership in Gaza, which opposes it.

Mohammed Sinwar, who took over from his brother Yahya as Hamas’ top commander, is believed to be among the stiffest opponents of the plan.

One US official close to proceedings told Axios that “there is no deal yet” despite the Trump administrations efforts to bring Hamas on board without being seen to depart from its strongly pro-Israel policy.

The report added that the US has put “significant pressure” on mediators in Qatar and Egypt to extract concessions over hostage releases in order to get any peace deal back on track.

Hamas also claimed that it offered to release Alexander several weeks ago, but that this was rejected by the US and Israel. The group did not clarify what it had asked for in exchange for the release.

Elsewhere, Egyptian negotiators are reported to have met with Hamas figures in Cairo to offer an alternative ceasefire plan.

They are also said to have threatened the deportation of newly-released Hamas terrorists (freed as part of the last ceasefire) if the group refuses to return more hostages.

However, Israeli officials claimed that the deal put forward by Egypt was very similar to the one proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff in recent weeks, which was rejected by Hamas.

It comes as Israel looks set to expand its military operations in Gaza. One of the first areas set to be targeted is the city of Jabalia and the nearby refugee camp, with the IDF already issuing evacuation orders after rockets were fired from the area last week.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that the military will begin to “seize territory” in the Strip if the remaining hostages are not released soon.

Netanyahu did not outline what this would mean in practical terms, but his Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has previously suggested that the land could be annexed to Israel.