Hamas response is significant - but there are key omissions

There is still a huge amount of detail to be worked through around how a ceasefire could be implemented.

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In its statement responding to the US peace proposal, the group agreed to "release all Israeli prisoners, both living and dead, according to the exchange formula contained in President Donald Trump's proposal, provided the field conditions for the exchange are met".

That formula, outlined by Trump at the White House earlier this week, proposes an immediate end to the fighting and the release within 72 hours of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas - as well as the remains of hostages thought to be dead - in exchange for hundreds of detained Palestinians.

There are believed to be 48 hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory by the armed group, only 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

The acceptance by Hamas of another key part of the US peace plan, the idea of handing over the governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats, is also clearly significant.