Hamas said in a statement on Saturday that reaching a Gaza ceasefire agreement with Israel “has become closer than ever before” only if Tel Aviv refrains from imposing new conditions.

Talks over a truce have languished for months as Israel balanced multiple campaigns in Lebanon and, more recently, Syria.

Despite optimistic public statements, a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal is not imminent, three Israeli officials tell Axios. Why it matters: The U.S., Israel and the Egyptian and Qatari mediators are trying to reach a deal before President-elect Trump's inauguration on Jan.

Israel and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to end more than 14 months of war. But so far, the sides remain unable to seal the deal.

Israeli and Hamas appear close to reaching a ceasefire deal to wind down the war in Gaza CAIRO — Israel and Hamas appear closer than they have been in months to agreeing to a ceasefire that could wind down the 14-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of people held hostage there.

The White House was hoping for a Middle East ceasefire deal by Christmas but it doesn't look like that will happen with fighting picking up once again in the Gaza Strip.