Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar.

The Palestinian militant group has issued a statement saying its supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had expressed his agreement in a phone call with Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence minister.

Israel has not yet commented on the proposal which would halt its seven-month conflict with Hamas.

Egypt and Qatar have been mediating months of talks between Hamas and Israel.

Hamas has agreed to the proposed ceasefire hours after Israel ordered Palestinians to begin evacuating the southern Gaza town of Rafah ahead of an Israeli military operation.