The mediators are set to continue indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in an attempt to bridge the remaining gaps regarding the proposed ceasefire agreement, which is the clearest sign in weeks of the possibility of reaching a truce after months of negotiations that failed to halt the conflict in Gaza.

A person familiar with the discussions, who requested anonymity while discussing private deliberations, said that Hamas had agreed to the proposal made by U.S. President Joe Biden in late May, and Biden at that time stated that the proposal had Israel's support, but Israel later returned with new changes.

An Israeli delegation led by Mossad Chief David Barnea visited Qatar earlier on Friday for talks and returned to their country late in the day.

The source, who requested not to be named, said Barnea, who heads the Israeli foreign intelligence agency, was scheduled to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who requested anonymity to discuss private matters.

The source said that Hamas had dropped the sticking points that had delayed progress in the initial stages of the negotiations.

No details were provided by the individual, but the Jerusalem Post reported earlier on Friday that it appears Hamas has abandoned its demand for Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire at the outset of the proposed deal.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Barnea's trip as a preliminary meeting and stated that talks would continue next week.