Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen expects that a hostage swap deal with Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip could be reached within two weeks, Anadolu Agency reports.

“In two weeks, we should be able to outline the main points of the hostage deal while maintaining the crucial security principles for Israel,” Cohen told Israeli Channel 12.

“The military pressure being applied by the army in Gaza is very important to push Hamas to accept the deal,” he added.

Early Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allowed Tel Aviv’s negotiating team to travel to Qatar on Thursday to continue talks for a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap with Hamas.