DEIR al-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hamas said Friday it has given a “positive” response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza but said further talks were needed on implementation.

Hamas on Friday said it was ready to start talks “immediately” on a proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, where the civil defence agency said Israel’s ongoing offensive killed more than 50 people. The announcement came after it held consultations with other Palestinian factions and before a visit on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

In a social media post, the president said the United States and Israel were finalizing a proposal to Hamas. The announcement comes ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington next week.