The United States along with Egypt and Qatar are pushing Israel and the Hamas movement toward a new hostage release deal, The Wall Street Journal said, citing diplomats participating in the negotiations, Paralel.Az reports.

According to the newspaper, the new deal envisages the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip that is to be followed by a complete ceasefire in the enclave. However, neither of the sides has agreed to such a deal but their willingness to discuss it is seen as certain progress, the newspaper noted, adding that talks on such an agreement were expected to be organized in Cairo in several days.

Thus, under the deal, Hamas is supposed to release all civilian hostages in exchange for the release of several hundred Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Apart from that, Israel is to withdraw its forces from Gaza’s cities, ensure free movement across the enclave and allow to double humanitarian assistance. The second part of the deal provides for the release of Israeli female soldiers held be Hamas in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners. Under the third part of deal, Hamas is to release Israeli soldiers who are held hostage while the Israel is to withdraw part of its forces from the enclave.