Amid Israel's ever-escalating war on Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Tuesday that his movement was nearing a truce agreement with Israel, according to a statement posted on Telegram.
"We are close to reaching a deal on a truce," Haniyeh said, according to the post.
As per media reports, between Israel and Hamas, attempts for negotiations have been active in a bid to release around 240 mostly Israeli hostages seized by the later on October 7 while launching the deadliest assault on Israel.
Intense negotiations mediated by Qatar, where Hamas has a political office and where Haniyeh is based, have been under way.
Qatar's prime minister said Sunday that a deal to free some of the hostages in return for a temporary ceasefire hinged on "minor" practical issues.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden said he believed a deal to free the hostages was close.
"I believe so," Biden said when asked whether a hostage deal was near.
Biden then crossed his fingers to signal he hoped for good luck.
The conflict so far
Hamas fighters killed around 1,200 people during their October 7 cross-border assault in which most of the victims were innocent civilians.
Retaliating to Hamas' offensive, Israel too launched a relentless bombing campaign and ground offensive in a bid to destroy Hamas and secure the release of the hostages.
According to the Hamas government in Gaza, the war has killed more than 13,300 people, thousands of them children.
