Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is closer than ever, provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

Hamas said in a statement on Saturday that reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel “has become closer than ever before” only if Tel Aviv refrains from imposing new conditions.

The White House was hoping for a Middle East ceasefire deal by Christmas but it doesn't look like that will happen with fighting picking up once again in the Gaza Strip.

U.S. and Arab mediators are working around the clock to hammer out a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, sources close to the talks said, while in the Gaza Strip medics said Israeli strikes had killed 44 Palestinians on Thursday.

Informed sources told the Reuters news agency that a ceasefire agreement could be finalized in the coming days.

Israel and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to end more than 14 months of war. But so far, the sides remain unable to seal the deal.

U.S. officials say both Hamas and Israel are making concessions toward securing a deal, but tempered optimism with differences remaining on key issues.

Lengthy negotiations on an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza after 14 months of war between Israel and Hamas are in a final phase, according to Egyptian security circles. A deal that should also lead to the release of Hamas-held hostages from the Gaza Strip could be reached within 10 days,

Israeli and Hamas appear close to reaching a ceasefire deal to wind down the war in Gaza CAIRO — Israel and Hamas appear closer than they have been in months to agreeing to a ceasefire that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of people held hostage there.