An unnamed senior Biden administration official says that Israel is close to accepting a framework for a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal, and it is now up to Hamas to agree it.

The official made the remarks on Saturday. Reuters news agency, citing sources in Egypt, says negotiations between Israel and Hamas will likely resume in Egypt as early as Sunday.

The official said there is a framework deal the "Israelis have more or less accepted," and "there will be a six-week ceasefire in Gaza starting today" if Hamas agrees to release hostages defined as vulnerable.

They are the sick, wounded, elderly and women.

The official said, "And the onus right now is on Hamas" and talks are underway with the aim of seeing an agreement before the start of Ramadan.

But the official avoided mentioning any outlook for the conclusion of an agreement, adding, "I don't want to create expectations one way or other."