Hamas could be on the verge of releasing dozens of hostages from Gaza after the Palestinian group's leader, along with key mediator Qatar, said a truce deal with Israel was in sight.
"We are close to reaching a deal on a truce," Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said, according to a statement sent by his office, after US President Joe Biden indicated an accord was on the cards.
This marks the most optimistic yet of a potential breakthrough in the war, which has been raging for more than six weeks and left more than 13,300 Palestinians in Gaza killed, most of them civilians.
Initial reports suggest the terms of the truce would see Hamas free 50 women and children, including some foreigners, whom they captured on 7 October, while Israel would release potentially 150 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and minors.
The truce would also reportedly include a five-day ceasefire. Details of the truce, particularly concerning the release of detainees on both sides, are expected to be disclosed by the Qatari government.
