Devastation from conflict in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.(Photo:Xinhua/VNA)

He told a press conference in Jerusalem that indirect negotiations were under way for the return of some 100 hostages and, while it’s still too early to be sure, prospects appear to have improved. Saar said Israel's position is that the hostages still held in Gaza must be returned before Israel will agree to end the fighting.

Hamas has agreed in principle to an Egyptian proposal for a truce in Gaza of up to 30 days and the release of some of the hostages seized from Israel last year, sources told UAE state-owned  daily newspaper The National, on Monday. The Hamas leaders submitted a list of the hostages they plan to release as part of a swap for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

A five-member coordination committee monitoring a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel met Monday at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura city. UNIFIL hosted the meeting, attended by the United States, France, Lebanese and Israeli military forces.

The committee will meet regularly and closely coordinate its work to achieve progress in implementing the ceasefire agreement which went into effect on November 27, aiming to halt 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.