Storyline: The Gaza ceasefire negotiations being held in the Qatari capital of Doha have entered "final stages," with discussions on the final details of the agreement in progress, a spokesman for the country's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Negotiators were trying to hammer out the final details of a complex, phased ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after marathon talks in Qatar, and U.S. and Egyptian leaders promised to stay in close contact about a deal over the coming hours.

Mediator Qatar said on Tuesday that a Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas is closer than at any time in the past, as the Israelis also expressed optimism over the release of hostages.