Hamas leader Yahya Shinuwar wants a cease-fire deal, or at least that’s the message Egyptian and Qatari mediators conveyed to Israeli officials in recent days ahead of a crucial summit later this week, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN.

Whether the Israeli prime minister wants something like this remains unclear, reports the same publication.

His associates Netanyahu have told reporters and other government officials that the Israeli prime minister is ready to make a deal, regardless of the impact on his governing coalition, two Israeli sources said. However, Israeli security sources remain far more skeptical of Netanyahu’s willingness to strike a deal, given stiff opposition from his far-right coalition ministers.

The source who spoke to the American network said characteristically that “no one knows what Netanyahu wants”.

What is clear is that Netanyahu is going to face intense pressure this week from the United States to agree to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

US officials have made it clear to their Israeli counterparts that they believe now is the time to reach a ceasefire agreement to avoid a wider regional war, an Israeli source told CNN.

The Hostage Families Forum, a powerful voice in Israel, also called on Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement to release the hostages and cease fire.

At the same time, Netanyahu’s coalition partners have made it clear that they do not want Israel to make a deal with Hamas.

Mediators are due to meet with Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams in Cairo or Doha next week. However, negotiations are already underway with technical delegations working on key details ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the Israeli source said.

The talks come at an extremely tense time in the Middle East after the killings of Ismail Haniya and Fouad Shoukr by Israel sparked fears of reprisals that could lead to a wider conflict.