UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said that a ceasefire in Gaza is possible soon if Hamas will agree to an Israel-backed proposal to pause fighting for 45 days in return for the release of captives, Al Jazeera reports, citing an interview of Sky News.

“Hamas should sign that today. Then we could have that pause for 45 days, or maybe even longer, and use that pause to build momentum for a permanent, sustainable ceasefire without a return to fighting,” Cameron said in an interview with Sky News.

“We all want to see this terrible fighting stop. And that would be the best way to make it happen. But it is for Hamas to make that decision and they should do that today.”

Israeli officials have previously said a ceasefire agreement would only delay their threatened assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, while Hamas has insisted on a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza as part of any deal.