Hamas has become the latest party to the Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations to voice optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region.

Long-running Gaza ceasefire talks are progressing, according to both Israeli and Hamas officials who have expressed fresh optimism around the possible end to the war in the Palestinian enclave. A Hamas spokesperson told Newsweek that progress on the talks was "positive and optimistic.