Washington/IBNS/UNI: The United States, Israel, and Hamas are close to an agreement on a five-day pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of hostages, The Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing sources.

The six-page agreement provides for a cessation of all combat operations by the parties to the conflict for at least five days and the release of 50 or more hostages, the report said, adding that the release of the hostages could begin in the coming days.

The pause will be monitored from the air, the newspaper reported.

The agreement outline was drawn up during weeks of negotiations in Doha between Israel, the US, and Hamas, indirectly represented by Qatari mediators, the report read, citing Arab and other diplomats.

It is still unclear, however, whether Israel will agree to suspend the offensive in the Gaza Strip temporarily, provided the conditions are right, the newspaper said.