Statement comes after group's meeting with Islamic Jihad and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Cairo

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. Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar,

Hamas has become the latest party to the Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations to voice optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the pressure is on the Palestinian militant group Hamas to move forward with the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, arguing the group’s support from its allies in the region has dwindled in recent months.

Talks over a truce have languished for months as Israel balanced multiple campaigns in Lebanon and, more recently, Syria.

Long-running Gaza ceasefire talks are progressing, according to both Israeli and Hamas officials who have expressed fresh optimism around the possible end to the war in the Palestinian enclave. A Hamas spokesperson told Newsweek that progress on the talks was "positive and optimistic.

The Palestinian militant group says a long--awaited agreement to free all hostage could be reached if Israel stops adding new conditions.