A source later told AFP that an Israeli technical team had arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Dec 16 "to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza".
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, added that the meetings were "between Israeli and Qatari working-level teams".
According to his spokesman, Mr Katz told members of the Israeli Parliament's foreign affairs committee: "We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal."
A senior Hamas official based in Doha also said the negotiations were progressing.
"A deal for exchanging prisoners and ceasefire between the resistance and the occupation has actually become closer than ever before, if (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu does not intentionally disrupt the agreement as he has done every time before," the official said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 18, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'
Lawyers for Jay-Z (right) plan to ask a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing the American rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, pointing to what they described as \"glaring inconsistencies\" that emerged in an NBC interview of the accuser, who was not named in the suit.
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest
It looks like there are Asians out there who look more like Jimmy O. Yang than the man himself, said the Hong Kong-born American actor and stand-up comedian.
Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally
A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele (left), Million Years Ago (2015), to be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated
Drumeo Awards: TikTok Drummer of the Year category
Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+
NEW YORK - One of America's wackiest families is making a comeback.
Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation
Working in English and directing Hollywood stars can be difficult for European directors. But the Spanish director's The Room Next Door is an exception
Lessons from a dog attack
Viewpoint Canines may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise
Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?
If you have long assumed that you must deprive yourself of delicious foods to be healthy, a new study in medical journal The BMJ offers encouraging news: Eating dark chocolate has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
BAD BACK
More teens and young adults hit with degenerative disc disease
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).
