The Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing a source in Hamas, revealed an advanced mediation led by Qatar for an urgent exchange deal with Israel.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated that Doha is seeking, with American support, an agreement that involves the release of Israeli women held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian female prisoners in Israeli jails.

He added that a Hamas leader informed Qatar that the movement does not oppose making the deal as long as it guarantees the release of all 36 Palestinian female prisoners from Israeli jails.

No official statement has been issued in Qatar regarding this information so far.

Videos circulating online have shown armed elements from Hamas capturing Israelis in Gaza, including elderly women.

Earlier, Israeli sources reported that more than 300 Israelis have been documented as missing since the current round of fighting between Hamas and Israel began.

This prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today to appoint reserve General Gal Hirsch as the official responsible for the issue of captives and missing persons.

Hamas and other factions attacked Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, in a surprise assault launched by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, on Israel on Saturday.

They named it "The Al-Aqsa Flood," which included the launch of thousands of homemade rockets and drones, and dozens of gunmen storming the Israeli towns adjacent to Gaza.