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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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,

Gaza Hamas has softened its stance on some of its core conditions for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, following an intensified push by mediators to reach a deal, sources close to the negotiations told The National on Saturday.