Hamas leader says militant group ‘close’ to truce agreement with Israel

Deal could include limited ceasefire and exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners

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Ismail Haniyeh, the most senior political leader of Hamas, has said a truce agreement with Israel may be close, raising hopes of both a pause in the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the release of at least some of the Israeli hostages the militant organisation is holding there.

We are close to reaching a deal on a truce," Haniyeh said, and the group had delivered its response to Qatari mediators.