"Light at the end of the tunnel?", the negotiator between Israel and Hamas: We hope for an agreement within the week for the release of the hostages

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A senior negotiator who has been involved in recent talks over the release of some of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza told The Associated Press he hopes for a deal within a week. Abbas Ibrahim, Lebanon's former intelligence chief, said a deal could be close if Israel moves.

"I think it is imminent if Israel withdraws from some conditions or rejects some conditions demanded by Hamas, which are very logical... Israel is still rejecting those conditions. When they agree to these conditions, the agreement will be quick," he said.

It is expected that under the deal being discussed, some of the 240 Israeli hostages taken in Gaza will be released in exchange for some Palestinian children and women currently held in Israeli prisons.

Ibrahim said Hamas' conditions at least include freedom of movement for people inside Gaza from south to north or north to south.

"This is one of the issues where there is still disagreement. But in my opinion, things will go towards a positive end. There will be an exchange and there will be a humanitarian pause," he said.

Ibrahimi has been involved in talks since the start of the war six weeks ago, including the evacuation of civilians and humanitarian ceasefires. (A2 Televizion)