(JNS) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday, Dec. 4 that Jerusalem had pressured Hamas to the extent that a hostages-for-ceasefire deal with the Iranian-backed terrorist organization might be possible.

“There is a chance that this time we will really be able to advance a hostage deal,” Katz said during a visit to soldiers at an Air Force base in central Israel, according to a readout from the Defense Ministry.

Earlier on Wednesday, Qatar-owned Al-Araby Al Jadeed reported that an Israeli delegation led by Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) chief Ronen Bar would travel to Egypt on Thursday for renewed hostage talks.

Citing “informed sources,” the London-based news outlet claimed that Cairo had prepared a new draft proposal to serve as a basis for negotiations following “strong indications” by Hamas of willingness to sign a deal.

Egypt was said to have informed the Biden administration and the team of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump of threats by Hamas that further pressure on the Palestinian terror group and its political leadership could potentially “pose a threat to the lives” of the remaining captives.