Hamas has dropped a demand that Israel commit to ending its war in Gaza and gave initial approval for a U.S.-backed plan for a cease-fire deal, according to a report Saturday.

A Hamas official and an Egyptian official revealed the apparent compromise move by the militant group, the Associated Press reported.

The officials cautioned that an agreement wasn't guaranteed and noted that Hamas still wanted written assurances that Israel would continue to negotiate a permanent end to the war, according to AP.

The Hamas official said the approval of the three-phase U.S. plan came in response to "verbal commitments and guarantees" from mediators that the war won't be resumed and that negotiations would continue, AP reported.

"Now we want these guarantees on paper," the Hamas representative said.

Under the plan supported by President Joe Biden, there would be a "full and complete" six-week cease-fire during which older, sick and female hostages kidnapped from Israel would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the officials told AP.

During that period, Israeli forces would withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza and allow displaced people to return to their homes in northern Gaza, the officials said.

Hamas, Israel and mediators would also negotiate the terms of a second phase that could see the release of the remaining male hostages, both civilians and soldiers, the officials said.

In return, Israel would free additional Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The third phase would include the return of any remaining hostages, including bodies of the dead, and the start of a yearslong reconstruction project, AP said.

A statement released by the families of many hostages said that for the "first time in many months, we feel hopeful."

The families also told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they "have seen how you repeatedly thwart deals in real time."

They warned:: "Don't you dare break our hearts again."

Neither Netanyahu's office nor the White House immediately returned requests for comment to AP.