WASHINGTON - Israel and Hamas may be able to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal within one or two weeks but such an agreement is not likely to be secured in just a day's time, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

US, Israeli, and Qatari officials held secret talks at the White House to resolve key issues in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, with significant progress made on IDF withdrawal.

The decision came after Hamas said it had responded positively to an American-backed cease-fire proposal. President Trump says he hopes for a truce as soon as next week.

Qatar said Tuesday more time was needed for negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, after US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about a possible breakthrough."I don't think that I can give any timeline at the moment,

Qatar is engaging with Israel and Hamas over the ‘framework for talks’, Dr Majed al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of

An Israeli delegation left for Qatar on Sunday for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official said, hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to head to Washington to meet U.