HAMAS has said that it is ready to release hostages in a bid to end the war in Gaza.

The move by the terror group is part of a response to a US ceasefire proposal.

Hamas said it would release ten living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Israel’s release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas stated, “The intention of this proposal is to establish a lasting ceasefire, facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and guarantee the provision of aid to our community and families.”

There was no immediate response from Israel to the statement.

But PM Benjamin Netanyahu had last week told families of the hostages they had accepted the US proposals.

It comes as Gaza health officials said yesterday that 14 people had been killed and 284 injured in the past day.

Yesterday, The UN warned that Gaza had become “the hungriest place on Earth”.

It said the territory’s entire population was at risk of famine.

Displaced Palestinians living in tents were handed food by aid agencies.

Women and children were among those gathered in Khan Yunis holding pots and pans.

Jens Laerke, of the UN’s humanitarian agency, said it was the only area on the planet where 100 per cent of the population was at risk of famine.

He added: “Gaza is the hungriest place on Earth.”