Israel's defense "close to reaching cease-fire deal in Gaza"

Israel's defense minister says he is close to reaching a deal on a cease-fire to the Gaza war with Palestinian militant Hamas.

A spokesman for Israel's Defense Ministry said Katz told parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee on the 16th local time that "the negotiating delegation is closer to an agreement than ever since a week-long cease-fire last year."

"As Hamas becomes more flexible, opportunities are being created," Katz said, adding, "I hope we can take a substantial step forward in this process."

A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also acknowledged in Doha, Qatar, that "we believe the ceasefire agreement is closer than it was before."

However, he added, "If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not deliberately interfere with the agreement."

It is only a week in late November of the same year that the two sides stopped fighting after the Gaza war broke out due to Hamas' surprise attack in October last year.

At the time, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas also released 105 hostages.