While UN and European officials hope that a cease-fire deal would help ease suffering among the Strip’s population, Israelis worry that as in the

Arab mediators are working to reach a new Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that would secure the release of 11 living hostages out of the 24 still believed to be held alive by Hamas in Gaza.

The already strained Gaza cease-fire deal is set to expire on Saturday with still no word yet on whether Israel or Hamas will continue negotiating for a second phase to free the remaining hostages.

The talks, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have reportedly stalled over two major sticking points: how humanitarian aid would be distributed during the ceasefire and whether Israeli forces would withdraw from areas of Gaza currently under military control.

After more than 15 months of fighting in their most devastating war ever, Israel and Hamas are extremely close to agreeing to a ceasefire, according to officials involved in the talks.

The U.S. president told reporters Friday on Air Force One that it was "good" that Hamas was ready to enter talks.