As Israel and Hamas move closer to a ceasefire agreement, Israel says it wants to maintain troops in a southern corridor of the Gaza Strip — a condition that could derail the talks.

Israel and Hamas may be able to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal within one or two weeks but such an agreement is not likely to be secured in just a day's time, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

Israel has accepted the latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage release proposal, according to an Israeli official, who said Wednesday the updated framework provides stronger US assurances about ending the war.