HOPES RISE FOR HOSTAGE TRUCE

>> Israel-Hamas deal is 'almost achieved' >> More than 50 could be released

- ANDY LINES

HAMAS is "close to reaching a truce agreement" with Israel to allow the release of more than 50 hostages, all of them women and children, it was claimed last night.

Intense negotiations continued between Qatar, the US, Israel and Hamas to seal the deal.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh made his "truce" comments in a statement posted on Telegram.

But while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said progress was being made and he hoped "there will be good news soon", he warned last night that Israel will continue its campaign against Hamas, even if a temporary ceasefire is reached.

In comments ahead of an expected Cabinet vote on a ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu said: "We are at war and we will continue the war. We will continue until we achieve all our goals.

Netanyahu called the return of Israelis taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 a "sacred and supreme mission" as he faced continuing anger from family members over the slow progress in securing their release.