Gaza Israel and Hamas are inching closer to a deal to pause their 15-month war in Gaza and enact a hostages-for-prisoners swap, sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations told The National on Wednesday.

Hamas has resumed indirect ceasefire talks with Israel in Doha, Qatar. Senior official Basem Naim emphasized the group's commitment to reaching a lasting agreement. The discussions focus on achieving a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Both Israel and Hamas are under pressure from outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to reach a deal before the Jan. 20 inauguration. But the sides have come close before,

Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

Indirect talks have resumed in Doha, Qatar, seeking to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas face pressure to wind down the 15-month war and bring home dozens of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

The two sides have agreed on a list of prisoners Israel will release. However, Israel says it's waiting for a list of surviving hostages from Hamas.