The coming hours will be decisive towards a ceasefire agreement.

Leading Hamas sources announced progress in direct negotiations being conducted by the movement's leadership, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, with American envoys as part of Steve Witkoff's team. They asserted that the coming hours will be "decisive toward a ceasefire agreement" in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas leaders have reported that direct talks involving senior Hamas leaders and the head of the negotiating delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, and US administration officials in Doha have been ongoing for several days. Progress has been made on delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, concluding a two-stage prisoner exchange deal, and a ceasefire.

Hamas officials added that "the coming hours are critical, and efforts are focused on bringing in aid immediately and reaching a ceasefire agreement" in Gaza.

According to Hamas leadership sources, the talks included a 70-day truce, extendable for 90 days, in exchange for the release of 10 living Israeli prisoners and the American prisoner Idan Alexander. During this truce, negotiations will be held to release all remaining prisoners, living and dead, and an agreement will be reached on a number of Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds of those serving life sentences and long sentences. The Israeli army will gradually withdraw, leading to a complete withdrawal.

The sources indicated that the discussions included "American and regional guarantees that there will be no return to combat operations or war in any form as long as negotiations continue, holding a donor conference for Gaza's reconstruction, and empowering and supporting the Community Support Committee, composed of 15 independent, competent individuals, to manage Gaza, to begin its work immediately after the ceasefire begins and the war ends."

The sources noted that the American envoys expressed understanding for Hamas' demands, particularly regarding the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid and an end to the war.

Hamas announced Sunday evening that it would release Israeli-American hostage Idan Alexander as part of an understanding and following contacts with the US administration.

Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's leader in Gaza, said in a statement that "as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas has been in contact with the US administration over the past few days," noting that the movement "has shown great positivity, and the release of the Israeli soldier, who holds dual US citizenship, Idan Alexander, will be part of the steps being taken to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow the entry of aid and relief to our people in the Gaza Strip."