Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said.

Israel and Hamas have been holding indirect talks for more than a year aimed at ending the war in Gaza and returning the hostages to Israel.

Officials say U.S. and Arab mediators made significant progress toward brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but a deal has not been reached yet.