David Mencer, a spokesman for the Israeli government, has rejected Hamas’ call for a week of calm to determine which of the captives held in Gaza are still alive.

“They know precisely who is alive and who is dead. They know precisely where the hostages are,” Mencer told journalists in an online briefing, according to the AFP.

“Gaza is a very small place. Hamas know exactly where they are.”

The Times of Israel cited an official from Netanyahu’s office as saying that the Hamas decision was “meaningless”.

“They haven’t said who is alive and who is not; they haven’t sent any list,” the newspaper quoted the official as saying. “So, as far as we stand, there isn’t any progress.”