Fresh talks between Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire are expected to begin in Qatar as early as Sunday afternoon, but may be pushed back to March 18, according to Al Jazeera which quotes an Associated Press news agency report citing Egyptian officials.

The talks come as Israel weighs a Hamas-proposed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. The three-stage deal first offers the return of 35 Israeli captives in return for the release of 350 Palestinian prisoners and later calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and lifting of the blockade.

While Israeli PM Netanyahu has slammed the deal as “delusional”, he is still sending a high-level Israeli delegation, joined by Mossad’s spy chief, to take part in the negotiations.