By VICTORIA EASTWOOD, SAMY MAGDY and MELANIE LIDMAN, Associated Press

RAFAH, Egypt (AP) — Hamas said Monday it has accepted a new proposal from Arab mediators for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that would still need Israel’s approval, as Gaza’s Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll from 22 months of war has passed 62,000.

U.S. President Donald Trump meanwhile appeared to cast doubt on the long-running negotiations. “We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be,” he posted on his Truth Social site.

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Israel announced plans to reoccupy Gaza City and ot

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