Hamas officials on Wednesday predicted an imminent ceasefire between Gaza and Israel thanks to mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar currently underway.

In a statement to CNN Arabic, a Hamas leader said there is a "positive atmosphere" surrounding the talks to reach an agreement with Israel "thanks to the support of our Egyptian and Qatari brothers" who proposed various solutions.

The official added that "the general demands of the Palestinian people are still clear: an end to the Israeli aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, an end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and a mechanism for the reconstruction of Gaza after the Israeli destruction".

Another Hamas leader, Mousa Abu Marzook, told Al-Mayadeen news channel earlier on Wednesday that he expects a ceasefire within two days, but Israel's prime minister has turned down a US request for calm.

Hamas leader predicts Gaza ceasefire ‘within two days’ as Israel rejects calls for calm