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.

Despite optimistic public statements, a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal is not imminent, three Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: The U.S., Israel and the Egyptian and Qatari mediators are trying to reach a deal before President-elect Trump's inauguration on Jan.

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

Talks to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas are 90% complete, but key issues remain that need to be bridged, a senior Palestinian official involved in the talks told the BBC.

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.