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.

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.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and release hostages is close but not yet finalized, an Israeli official told The Hill Wednesday, after Reuters reported Qatar has handed a