mediator

Despite the apparent breakthrough, mediators still have the tricky task of securing a longer-term political solution that will see Hamas hand over its weapons and step aside from running Gaza.

The message, which the militant group sent through Arab mediators, marked the first time Hamas has confirmed that it has 20 living Israeli captives.

Qatar, alongside fellow mediators Egypt and the United States, has been involved in months of talks leading to the Gaza ceasefire, which Israel said came into effect at 0900 GMT on Friday.

Hossam Badran: "We are dealing primarily through Qatari and Egyptian mediators, of course... The matter of the official signing -- we will not be involved."

"The Malagasy army remains a mediator and constitutes the nation's last line of defence," he said.