Hopes rose on Monday for a long-sought truce and hostage release deal after almost seven months of Israel’s war on Gaza. Washington’s top diplomat said he was “hopeful” Hamas would accept the offer, which his British counterpart said could see the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. Negotiators from Hamas were due in Egypt, a mediator in the process along with the United States and Qatar. For months they have been trying to broker a new agreement between the combatants, the first since a one-week truce in November saw 80 Israeli hostages exchanged for 240 Palestinians held by Israel…