Pressure is on to reach a deal that would see Hamas release at least some hostages before President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a delegation of senior officials to Qatar for negotiations on a hostage release and Gaza ceasefire deal, his office said Saturday.

It wasn't immediately clear on Saturday when David Barnea would travel to Qatar’s capital for the latest round of indirect talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved sending the director of the Mossad foreign intelligence agency to ceasefire negotiations in Qatar, his office said Saturday, in a sign of progress in talks on the war in Gaza.

Mossad director's presence means high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement are now involved. Along with Mossad chief, head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency and military and political advisers will also be sent to Qatar to be part of negotiation talks.