Negotiators for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are reportedly waiting for an answer from the Islamic group to the truce plan.

Ceasefire talks over the Gaza conflict continued in Qatar on Tuesday. The Qatari foreign ministry said the negotiations were underway on the final details.

The ceasefire plan consists of three phases. In the first phase, Hamas would release more than 30 hostages, and Israeli forces would withdraw from densely populated areas in the enclave in a six-week period.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that negotiators are closer to an agreement than ever before. He added that they are now waiting for the "final word" from Hamas on its acceptance.

Reuters news agency quoted a Hamas official as saying the group has not delivered its response yet, because Israel has not submitted the maps that will show the areas to which its forces will withdraw.

Israeli forces continued their attacks in Gaza on Wednesday. Health authorities there said the death toll since the start of the conflict has climbed to 46,645.