Israel and Hamas have been holding indirect talks for more than a year aimed at ending the war in Gaza and returning scores of militant-held hostages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The negotiations appeared to gain momentum on Monday as Arab and American mediators pushed for an agreement before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office.

The basic framework, officials familiar with the talks say, is an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a six-week ceasefire. Mediators are applying pressure on all parties.

A peace deal would put an end to more than a year of fighting, during which tens of thousands of people have been killed

Progress in cease-fire talks has raised hopes a deal could be reached to release some of the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip and pause fighting that has dragged on for 15 months.

(TNND) — The incoming administration is pushing hard for Hamas to release remaining hostages, with President-elect Donald Trump vowing Tuesday that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the hostages aren’t released by his inauguration in less than two weeks.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Jan. 13 that a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza couple be completed within the week, before President-elect Donald Trump replaces President Joe Biden on Jan.