Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said.

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.

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

Negotiators were trying to clinch agreement on Tuesday on the final details of a ceasefire in Gaza after marathon talks in Qatar, with mediators and the warring sides both saying a deal was closer than ever.

Biden officials involved in the effort acknowledged that President-elect Donald Trump’s threats and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff’s participation during the final week of negotiations played a major role in bringing across the finish line a deal they had struggled to reach for more than a year.

Israel is delaying the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza following Hamas's violation of a ceasefire agreement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday night The decision came after Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers who had been held hostage for 477 days but failed to include a civilian hostage,

The Middle East team delivered editorially sharp, competitive, well-sourced, visually rich, and all-format reporting as the ceasefire deal was announced,

Israel prepares for Hamas’ release of 4 female IDF hostages after 477 days in Gaza * Tensions rise as Hamas stages propaganda displays ahead of the exchange * This is a developing story Israel is bracing for the imminent release of four Israeli hostages by Hamas,