TEL AVIV, December 18. /TASS/. There is some progress in talks on the Gaza deal but no agreements have yet been reached on the release of hostages held by Hamas, Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the prime minister’s office, told a TASS correspondent.

"Certain progress can be noted in talks, however, final agreements have not yet been reached," he said, replying to a question on the matter.

"Israel hopes that efforts by international mediators will be successful resulting in the release of hostages taking place in the near future," Gendelman added.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7, 2023, when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border settlements and seizing more than 240 hostages. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel has declared a state of war readiness; announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians; and began delivering air strikes on the enclave and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria, followed by a ground operation in the enclave. Clashes are underway in the West Bank as well.

At the end of November 2023, Hamas reported reaching an agreement with Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a humanitarian truce which lasted a week. Israel managed to liberate 110 hostages during this time. On December 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and announced renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip, which continues to this day.

According to the latest data by the Israeli side, 100 hostages still remain in Gaza.