Gaza destruction helped push Hamas to soften ceasefire demands, officials say

Hopes have been raised over a ceasefire deal (AP)

Several officials in the Middle East and the US believe the level of devastation in the Gaza Strip caused by a nine-month Israeli offensive likely has helped push Hamas to soften its demands for a ceasefire agreement.

Over the weekend, Hamas appeared to drop its demand that Israel should promise to end the war as part of any ceasefire deal.