TEL AVIV, Israel (NEWSnet/AP) — Mediators are making progress on an agreement for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, and the release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, Israel’s media reported Sunday.

Israel's war cabinet met to discuss the proposal late Saturday, but there was no official word regarding what they decided.

Several Israeli media outlets, citing unnamed officials, said it tacitly approved the deal and Israel will send a delegation to Qatar for further negotiation.

Hamas says it has not been involved in the latest proposal developed by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, but the reported outline largely matches prior demands for the first phase of a truce. Hamas' top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was in Cairo last week.

Israel is developing plans for expanding its offensive to Rafah, on the Gaza-Egypt border, where more than half the territory's population of 2.3 million have sought refuge. Aid groups have warned of a catastrophe and the U.S. and other allies of Israel have said it must avoid harming civilians.

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