Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire that could wind down the 15-month war in Gaza and bring home dozens of Israelis held hostage

Israel says Hamas has not provided any information about the status of those 34 hostages, dampening any notion that the endorsement is a step toward a deal to stop the war.

According to AFP, a total of 34 hostages would be released in the initial exchange, which includes many Israeli women, children, elderly and sick prisoners held in Gaza.

Hamas has announced its readiness to release 34 captives as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, as reported by Reuters and AFP. The release will occur in the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal, which will include women, children, elderly individuals, and those in poor health.

Hamas has named 34 hostages, some of them believed to have died in captivity, who it says it would return to Israel in the first phase of an evolving if still elusive ceasefire in Gaza.

The deal would secure release of a third of the approximately 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, including two dual U.S.-Israeli nationals. In return, Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners.

A Hamas official on Sunday said the Palestinian militants were ready to free 34 hostages in the "first phase" of a potential deal with Israel, after Israel said indirect talks