Qatar’s foreign ministry says negotiations involving Hamas and Israel over a potential release of hostages are in their “final stages”.

Al Jazeera says the comments come as Israel’s prime minister spoke of “progress” while Hamas’ chief says a truce deal is “approaching”.

A Qatari mediator says talks are at the “closest point” to reaching a deal since the conflict began – and the US has spoken of temporary breaks in fighting to allow hostages safely out.

A report by Reuters quotes an unnamed US official as saying that the deal being discussed would see the release of 50 Hamas captives – mostly women and children – in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and a pause in fighting of four or five days.

The official adds however that “there is still a lot of work to be done, still approval that has to be achieved”.

Over 200 hostages were snatched by Hamas on October 7th and taken to Gaza.