US President Donald Trump said Gaza ceasefire talks have been "going along very well" during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, expressing confidence that Hamas wants to end the 21-month conflict on July 7.

"They want to meet and they want to have that ceasefire," Trump told reporters in unexpected remarks during the meeting. When asked what was preventing a peace deal, Trump said: "I don't think there is a hold-up. I think things are going along very well."

The meeting came after the latest rounds of indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar ended without a breakthrough, though negotiations were expected to continue this week. A second session held on July 7 ended without progress, according to a Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations.

Both leaders discussed potential plans to relocate Palestinians, with Trump saying he has cooperation from countries neighbouring Israel. Netanyahu said he was working with the US on finding countries that will "give Palestinians a better future."

"If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave," Netanyahu said. The Palestinian presidency has previously rejected relocation plans, noting they would violate international law, British and American media reported.

Netanyahu appeared to play down prospects of full Palestinian statehood, saying Israel will "always" keep security control over Gaza. "Now, people will say it's not a complete state, it's not a state. We don't care," he said.

During the meeting, Netanyahu said he had nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. "He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other," Netanyahu said whilst presenting Trump with a letter he sent to the prize committee.

The US-backed ceasefire proposal would see Hamas release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 dead hostages in five stages during a 60-day truce. Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and withdraw from parts of Gaza, where it controls about two-thirds of territory.

The main outstanding issue relates to aid, as Hamas insists on ending work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, whilst the Israeli delegation refuses to discuss the matter, saying they lack authority.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the White House waving Palestinian flags and calling for Netanyahu's arrest. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November against Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee declined to say whether Trump would guarantee extending a proposed 60-day ceasefire whilst negotiations continue, describing this as one of Hamas's key demands.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said ending the Gaza war was Trump's "utmost priority" and that he wanted Hamas to agree to the 60-day deal "right now."