Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Negotiators in Qatar resumed talks on Wednesday hoping to hammer out the final details of a complex, phased ceasefire in Gaza aiming to end a conflict that has inflicted widespread death and destruction and upended the Middle East.

The Israeli government and Hamas say that they are in the final stages of indirect talks over a deal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Negotiators were trying to hammer out the final details of a complex, phased ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after marathon talks in Qatar, and U.S. and Egyptian leaders promised to stay in close contact about a deal over the coming hours.

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said, the first positive sign in months that a truce in the Israel-Hamas war may be in sight.

Work on an agreement that would pause months of fighting and free some hostages resumed after Hamas went silent.

As negotiations near completion for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel faces a divisive debate over a proposed deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack. Reporter Keren Setton details how the agreement,

A deal could be announced as soon as Tuesday, Arab and Israeli officials said, raising hopes that some of the hostages held in Gaza will be freed.