Talks between Hamas and the U.S. administration on a ceasefire in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave are underway, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Sunday.

Hamas says it will no longer engage in truce talks amid a catastrophic hunger crisis created by Israel’s blockade.

Hamas will release Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander from Gaza on Monday, the Palestinian militant group said, although Israel's prime minister said there would be no ceasefire and plans for an intensified military campaign would continue.