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.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and release hostages is close but not yet finalized, an Israeli official told The Hill Wednesday, after Reuters reported Qatar has handed a

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.

A draft deal for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is nearing completion, with the details having been finalized and awaiting the terror group’s final approval.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there's a "distinct possibility" that Israel and Hamas will be able to reach a ceasefire deal before President Joe Biden leaves office in a week.

Mediator Qatar gave Israel and Hamas a final draft of a deal to end the war in Gaza on Monday, after a midnight "breakthrough" in talks attended by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's envoy, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters.

Israel and mediators from Egypt, the U.S. and Qatar have given Hamas a final draft agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza, two senior Israeli officials and a source familiar with the details said.