Hamas suggested on Thursday that progress was being made in “positive” talks to bolster the teetering cease-fire with Israel,

appearing to signal that the impasse was nearing resolution and that hostages could be released on Saturday. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli government on Hamas’s latest remarks.

Officials across the region had feared the fragile truce was at risk amid finger-pointing between Israel and Hamas. Earlier this week, Hamas argued that Israel was not upholding its end of the deal and indefinitely postponed the release of Israeli hostages set to be freed on Saturday.

Rawan Sheikh Ahmad contributed reporting.