Qatari mediators are seeking to negotiate a deal between Hamas and Israel that includes the release of around 50 civilian hostages from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, an official briefed on the negotiations has told Reuters.

The deal, under discussion, which has been coordinated with the US, would also see Israel release some Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails and increase the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza, the official has said.

Hamas has agreed to the general outlines of this deal, but Israel has not and it is still negotiating the details, the official has said.

It is not known how many Palestinian women and children Israel would release from its jails as part of the agreement under discussion.