The Israeli military says it has recovered the bodies of six hostages in an overnight operation in Gaza.

The recovery came as the United States, Egypt and Qatar are trying to mediate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The agreement would bring about the release of scores of hostages held by the militant group.

The Israeli military has identified the six hostages whose bodies were recovered as Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell and Haim Perry, without saying when or how they died.

Five of the hostages were over 50 years old when they were captured, and three had family members who were released during a week-long ceasefire in November.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the recovery effort and said “our hearts ache for the terrible loss”.

He added in a statement: “The State of Israel will continue to make every effort to return all of our hostages – both alive and dead.”

US secretary of state Antony Blinken had earlier called on Hamas to agree to a “bridging” proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza after it gained the backing of Israel.

Speaking after a meeting with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Blinken said the Israeli prime minister had agreed with the proposal – which would lead to a ceasefire and see the return of Israeli hostages.

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