U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said progress was being made regarding the return of the hostages being held in Gaza and that he was dealing with both Israel and Hamas, but he gave no other details about the talks.

President Trump said during a Cabinet meeting Thursday that "we are getting closer" to a deal to free the remaining hostages in Gaza and re-establish a ceasefire. Why it matters: White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Egyptian mediators are trying to hammer out an interim deal that would be acceptable to both Israel and Hamas.

Donald Trump says he asked Israeli hostages whom he met at the White House whether Hamas “winked at them” while they were held captive. During a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office,