The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, appear to be making progress after months of failed attempts to achieve a breakthrough.

U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators shuttled between the Israeli and Hamas delegations in Doha on Tuesday, where officials said a deal to halt the war is near.

Anticipation is growing as Israel and Hamas appear to be at the closest point yet to sealing a deal to end 15 months of war. Key mediator Qatar said it

Months of shuttle diplomacy have failed to end the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. Around 105 captives were later released in a weeklong cease-fire in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

After more than a year of talks, both sides say they are close to a deal that could halt Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and return Israeli hostages home.

Israel and Hamas appear to be nearing a ceasefire deal, according to optimistic statements from officials representing them as well as the United States and Qatar, where talks are being held. Qatar said Tuesday that Israel and Hamas are at their “closest point” in months to a deal that could halt the devastating 15-month-long war in Gaza and release hostages.

The first phase, spanning a 42-day ceasefire, would include the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, U.S. officials said.