Israeli media quoted Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz as saying on Wednesday that pressure on Hamas is increasing to the point that reaching an agreement on the hostages with the movement may be possible.

"There is a real chance this time that we will be able to reach an agreement on the hostages," he added, speaking to soldiers at the Tel Nof air base in central Israel.

"The most important thing in the war is to return the hostages to their homes... This is the ultimate goal that we seek, and we are working in every way to achieve this," he continued.