Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh said his movement was nearing a truce agreement with Israel.

According to a statement posted on telegram, he said they are close to reaching a deal on a truce.

Negotiators have been working to seal a deal to allow the release of around 240 mostly Israeli hostages seized on October 7, during the deadliest assault on Israel in its history.

According to the Hamas government in Gaza, the war has killed more than 13,300 people, thousands of them children.

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 that a deal to free some of the hostages in return for a temporary ceasefire hinged on "minor" practical issues.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he believed a deal to free the hostages was close. Biden then crossed his fingers to signal he hoped for good luck.

Two sources familiar with the talks told AFP a tentative deal includes a five-day truce, comprised of a ceasefire on the ground and limits to Israeli air operations over Southern Gaza.

In return, between 50 and 100 prisoners held by Hamas would be released.