The Israeli ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, says he is hopeful a deal for the release of a significant number of hostages will be reached “in the coming days”.

Herzog told newsmen that “serious efforts” were being made, but that the fewer details he revealed, “the better the chances of such a deal”.

Qatar, which has been mediating, also says a deal is within reach. Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Sunday that only “very minor” practical and logistical obstacles remain, adding that “we are close enough to reach a deal”.

Hamas took an estimated 240 people hostage during their October 7 attacks which killed 1,200 Israelis, and retaliatory efforts by Isreal in Gaza has left over 13,000 dead including women and children.