Hamas is “very close to an agreement” with Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to an official from the militant group.

Three officials acknowledged progress has been made and said the coming days would be critical for ending more than 15 months of fighting that has destabilized the Middle East.

Israel and Hamas have been presented with a “final” draft of a ceasefire agreement that would end the war in Gaza and free hostages...

Amid reports that Israel has conveyed the final ceasefire-hostage release deal’s proposal to Hamas, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has said that ‘progress was made’ in the talks and said that the ball was in Hamas’ court.

Mediator Qatar has handed Israel and Hamas a "final" draft of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement designed to end the war in Gaza, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters on Monday.

Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The Israeli military said on Saturday that it conducted an airstrike that destroyed a Hamas command post in a former school complex in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. There were no reports from the Israeli side of killed or injured Hamas fighters or other casualties.

We are close to announcing an agreement and a prisoner exchange,” said a source claiming to be familiar with the negotiations, “but this hinges on Israel’s awaited response.

The protest comes on the same day that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire talks in Doha.View on euronews

Hamas and Israel are reportedly nearing a ceasefire agreement that includes exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to a Hamas official, CNN News reports. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged progress,