GAZA: US President Joe Biden has urged the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to “exert all efforts” towards securing the release of hostages held by Hamas as part of negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire, AFP quotes the White House as saying.

Representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Hamas met on Monday in Cairo, with the Palestinian group expected to respond to a proposal for a second truce in Gaza, coupled with a fresh release of hostages.

In separate phone calls Biden spoke with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and discussed “the deal now on the table,” the White House said in nearly identical statements.

Biden urged the leaders “to exert all efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas as this is now the only obstacle to an immediate ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza,” the White House said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Riyadh, said he was hopeful Hamas would accept the offer, which he characterised as “extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel”.