TEL AVIV, April 2. /TASS/. An Israeli delegation has handed a new proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to the radical Palestinian movement Hamas through mediators in Cairo, the Prime Minister's Office reported.

"Israel expects the mediators to take vigorous action regarding Hamas to advance the negotiations toward a deal. The State of Israel is continuing to make all necessary efforts for the release of the hostages from Hamas and their return to Israel," the statement said.

According to the office, the Israeli negotiating delegation, which includes representatives of the Mossad intelligence agency, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), would return from Cairo on Tuesday after "the conclusion of an additional intensive round of negotiations."

Kan radio reported on Tuesday night that the Israeli side presented the mediators at the Cairo consultations with an "updated and more flexible position" on the return of residents to northern Gaza in order to move toward a hostage release deal, and is awaiting Hamas' response. According to the radio, if Hamas responds positively, Mossad intelligence chief David Barnea and ISA chief Ronen Bar may join the Cairo talks.

On March 29, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision to send security delegations to Qatar and Egypt to continue consultations with Hamas on the release of hostages held in Gaza. Initially, the prime minister planned to send only specialist-level delegations to Doha and Cairo.