A peace deal would put an end to more than a year of fighting, during which tens of thousands of people have been killed

Progress in cease-fire talks has raised hopes a deal could be reached to release some of the hostages still held in the Gaza Strip and pause fighting that has dragged on for 15 months.

Israel and mediators from Egypt, the U.S. and Qatar have given Hamas a final draft agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza, two senior Israeli officials and a source familiar with the details said.