JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Israel had pressured Hamas to the extent that a hostage deal with the Iranian-backed group might be possible.

Speaking to soldiers at an air force base in central Israel, Katz said that due to increasing military pressure, "there is a chance that this time we will really be able to advance a hostage deal".

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alison Williams)