Jerusalem | Hamas said it was still committed to upholding the ceasefire deal with Israel, including releasing more hostages this weekend, a sign of diplomatic progress amid widespread concern about the future of the precarious truce with Israel.

Mediators between the two sides were following up “to remove obstacles and close gaps” after “positive” talks with senior officials from Egypt and Qatar, Hamas said in a statement on Friday AEDT. Along with the United States, Egypt and Qatar have been brokering the ceasefire, which began with a six-week truce in late January.