President Trump was pleased to hear Hamas delivered a “positive” response to the U.S. ceasefire and hostage release proposal for Gaza.

Mr. Trump told reporters on Airforce One Friday night that the Hamas response was “good” and suggested a deal could happen as early as next week.

“We have to do something about Gaza…We’re sending a lot of money and a lot of aid. I think it’s been very positive. It’s a good response,” he said, adding he is “very optimistic” that a deal could be struck next week.

Hamas said Friday that it has responded to the White House’s ceasefire proposal between the Palestinian militant group and Israel in a “positive spirit” and is ready to start negotiations on implementing the plan.

“The Hamas movement has completed its internal consultations as well as discussions with Palestinian factions and forces regarding the latest proposal by the mediators to halt the aggression against our people in Gaza,” Hamas wrote in a statement on its official website.

“The movement has delivered its response to the brotherly [Qatari and Egyptian] mediators, which was characterized by a positive spirit. Hamas is fully prepared, with all seriousness, to immediately enter a new round of negotiations on the mechanism for implementing this framework.”

It was not clear if Hamas’ statement meant it had accepted the proposal from President Trump for a 60-day ceasefire.

Hamas has been seeking guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war, now nearly 21 months old. Mr. Trump has been pushing hard for a deal to be reached, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the White House next week to discuss a deal.

Hamas did not say which issues needed to be worked out.

However, an official close to the talks said Hamas had several requests.

This includes that Israeli troops in Gaza pull back to positions it held on March 2 before it broke the previous ceasefire; that aid flow into Gaza in sufficient quantities through the U.N. and other international humanitarian agencies; and that negotiations continue beyond 60 days if needed to reach a deal for a permanent end to the war and the release of all remaining hostages.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.