Hamas indicates progress in ceasefire talks as Gazans hope for relief

We are not far from a ceasefire agreement if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responds positively to the main issues under discussion,

said Tahir al-Nono, a senior Hamas official, in comments to Xinhua

We are very close to reaching the ceasefire,

the official said, noting

For more than 15 months, we have endured war, poverty, and a lack of basic necessities. We hope an agreement will end our suffering,

he told Xinhua

I long to return to my home and reunite with my family. We miss the life we had before the war,

she said

I ask the world, do you hear us? Do we exist

said Hamza Saleh, one of the vast majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents who have been displaced

Return with an agreement that ensures the return of all hostages, down to the last one — the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland,

said a statement by a group representing some hostages' families

Jack Lewu.S. Ambassador

We join together in the hope that the talks in Doha succeed,

outgoing U.S. Ambassador Jack Lew said at the rally

I’ve learned the hard way not to get my hopes up about the ceasefire hostage negotiations,

Burns said

Negotiations going on right now are quite serious and do offer the possibility, at least, of getting this done in the next couple of weeks. This administration will work very hard at that right up until January 20th,

Burns said

I cannot foresee significant progress until President Trump assumes office,

Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at Israeli think tank the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, told AFP earlier this week