"The UK welcomes the tireless efforts of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States," Britain's top diplomat David Lammy said in a statement.

He added that London "fully endorses their joint statement calling for the immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations and a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas".

Lammy argued that "there can be no more delays, the fighting must stop now" and called for the immediate release of all captives held by Hamas.

"We also need to see the urgent delivery of unfettered aid into Gaza," he noted.

The foreign secretary said that it was in the "long-term interests" of Israelis, Palestinians, and other parties to agree to the deal on the table "urgently".

Israel confirmed late Thursday that it has agreed to resume truce talks on August 15 at the demand of the three mediators, amid concerns that its war on Gaza could escalate into a wider regional conflict.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.