The United States has said it remains hopeful that Israel and Hamas will resume ceasefire negotiations this week, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already confirmed Israel’s participation and “our Qatari partners have assured us that they are working to ensure that there is Hamas representation as well”, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

“So, we’ll let this process play out, but we fully expect these talks to move forward, as they should,” Patel told reporters.

Patel said that a ceasefire would allow the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid and new diplomacy “to get the region out of this endless cycle of violence”.