Israeli forces were targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in southern Gaza, the military said Friday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced hope that an agreement with Hamas could be reached within days for a pause in the 21-month war.

Israel made it clear it will not agree for Qatar to solely have exclusive control over the rehabilitation funds, but will request that additional countries participate in the effort.

An Israeli delegation left for Qatar on Sunday for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official said, hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to head to Washington to meet U.

The decision came after Hamas said it had responded positively to an American-backed cease-fire proposal. President Trump says he hopes for a truce as soon as next week.

US, Israeli, and Qatari officials held secret talks at the White House to resolve key issues in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, with significant progress made on IDF withdrawal.

The Israeli delegation didn't have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas, two Palestinian sources told Reuters.

President Donald Trump said negotiators are “very close” to a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, raising optimism for a long-elusive agreement as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the US.

Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition.