Gaza war: ceasefire talks stall over Israel's troop withdrawal plans, Palestinian sources say
Delegations from both sides began discussions in Qatar last Sunday to try to agree on a temporary halt to the 21-month conflict sparked by Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Both Hamas and Israel have said that 10 living hostages who were taken that day and are still in captivity would be released if an agreement for a 60-day ceasefire were reached.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he hoped to clinch a deal 'in a few days', which could then lead to talks for a more permanent end to hostilities.
But one Palestinian source, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, said Israel's refusal to accept Hamas's demand to withdraw all of its troops from Gaza was holding back progress.
Another said mediators had asked both sides to postpone the talks until the arrival of US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Doha.
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