UNITED STATES President Donald Trump called today for progress in Gaza ceasefire talks, calling for a deal that would halt the fighting in the 20-month-long conflict.

A top adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer was set to travel for talks this week to the US, Israel’s main military backer, an Israeli official said.

The source said plans also were being made for Mr Netanyahu to travel to Washington in the coming weeks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mr Trump took to social media early on Sunday to urge the Israelis to “make the deal in Gaza. Get the hostages back!” 

Mr Trump raised expectations on Friday that a deal might be possible. Taking questions from reporters, he said: “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.”

Talks between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly faltered over whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire agreement.

Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Mr Netanyahu of stalling progress on a deal, saying in remarks on the Telegram messaging app that the Israeli leader insists on a temporary agreement that would free just 10 of the hostages.

Mr Netanyahu’s spokesperson Omer Dostri said: “Hamas was the only obstacle to ending the war,” without addressing Mr Merdawi’s claim.

Hamas says it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war. Israel rejects that offer, saying it will agree to end the war if Hamas surrenders, disarms and goes into exile, something the group refuses.

Meanwhile, the Israelis ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians in large swaths of northern Gaza on Sunday.

Colonel Avichay Adraee, a military spokesperson, posted the order on social media. It includes multiple neighbourhoods in eastern and northern Gaza City, as well as the Jabaliya refugee camp.

The military will expand its attacks to the city’s northern section, calling for people to move southward to the Muwasi area in southern Gaza, Colonel Adraee said.

Israeli strikes have continued its relentless attacks. 

The Israelis killed at least 72 Palestinians across Gaza on Saturday, health workers said.

Three children and their parents were killed in an Israeli strike on a tent camp in Muwasi near the southern city of Khan Younis. They were struck while sleeping, relatives said.

“What did these children do to them? What is their fault?” said the children’s grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, as others knelt to kiss their bloodied faces and wept. Some placed red flowers into the body bags.