Hamas on Tuesday stood by its demand that Israel fully end its assault on Gaza under any deal to release hostages and said US president-elect Donald Trump was rash to say there would be ’hell to pay’ unless they go free by his 20 January inauguration.

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Qatar on Friday to continue negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, a source with knowledge of the talks told CNN on Friday.

The Hamas Movement said that the indirect ceasefire talks over Gaza resumed on Friday in the Qatari capital, Doha, reiterating its keenness on reaching an agreement ending the Israeli aggression and protecting the Palestinians against genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The prime minister’s office announced on Thursday the approval of a new Israeli delegation to continue hostage negotiations in Doha, Qatar.

Israeli Channel 12 reported significant progress in negotiations, but says it is still too early to declare agreement is finalized - Anadolu Ajansı

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expresses confidence in a near-term Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

A renewed push is underway to reach a ceasefire in the 15-month war and return Israeli hostages before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

The family of a hostage who appears in the latest video released by Hamas has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seize the opportunity to do a ceasefire deal, describing the footage as having “torn our hearts to pieces.

President-elect Trump warns Hamas to release hostages before inauguration, threatening dire consequences if not met.