Hamas confirms that Gaza talks enter final stage

The talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, currently underway in Doha, are nearing the conclusion of a deal, the Palestinian Hamas movement has said.

"The movement's leadership deems it necessary to continue the ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks, which have reached the final stage and will hopefully culminate in the signing of a comprehensive and clear agreement," the statement uploaded to Hamas' official Telegram channel said.

 The radicals added that they were "satisfied with the progress in consultations" in the Qatari capital and believed that a certain stride forward had been made.

Earlier, the Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a similar statement.

 Israel and Hamas are close to striking a deal on ceasefire in Gaza; its first step will imply liberation of 33 hostages held by the Palestinian movement, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

According to the report, women, children, men older than 55 and the sick will be released first. Haaretz sources believe that most of them are alive.

According to the roadmap being discussed, the sides will begin discuss the second stage of the deal, which will imply liberation of all hostages in 16 days.

 Haaretz notes that it is currently unknown, how many Palestinian prisoners Israel will release during the first stage of the deal.

 According to the Kan radio, Israel is ready to release about 1,300 prisoners during this stage.