The US says it is evaluating the Hamas response to the latest proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The Palestinian armed group said it was ready to “deal positively” with the process but stressed the need for Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire. Israel’s government has not commented, but an anonymous Israeli official said Hamas’s response amounted to a rejection. Meanwhile, the US secretary of state is heading to Qatar - which along with the US and Egypt is...