Tel aviv: Israel agreed to allow third countries to fund the reconstruction of the war-torn Gaza Strip under a ceasefire deal, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily revealed that Israel has permitted funding and resources from Qatar and other nations to aid in rebuilding the Palestinian enclave. This move is seen as pivotal for Hamas, signaling to Gaza's Palestinian population that the conflict may be nearing an end.

The report also noted Israel's insistence on securing contributions from various countries to prevent a single nation, particularly Qatar, from dominating the reconstruction efforts. This proposal emerged during recent discussions held in Washington.

In a related development, Hamas announced its agreement to release 10 hostages alive, indicating a gesture of 'flexibility' aimed at facilitating a Gaza ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed optimism, stating that his administration is "getting very close to a deal" as indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel continue in Doha, Qatar.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 57,700 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, due to the Israeli military actions in Gaza since October 2023. The heavy bombardment has devastated the region, causing food shortages and disease outbreaks.

In a significant legal development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions in the enclave.