US negotiators are “making progress” on a potential deal that would see Israel halt its bombardment in Gaza for two months in exchange for the release of more than 100 captives held by Hamas, the Associated Press has reported, citing two senior White House officials.

Although the proposed deal would not end the war outright, US officials hope the agreement can lay the groundwork for a resolution to the conflict, the AP said.

The report broadly confirms an earlier New York Times report that said US negotiators are “edging closer” to a deal to halt the conflict for about two months in exchange for the release of captives.