The negotiations are based on a plan calling for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza’s “major population centers” and an initial six-week ceasefire.
Qatar says some progress has been made in negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and that it is continuing mediation to “bridge the gap” between Israel and Hamas.
The Gulf state, Egypt and the United States have been engaged in truce negotiations for months involving an exchange of prisoners and the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to war-ravaged Gaza.
“There has been some progress in the situation. We have continued our efforts without interruption in recent days,” Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said at a press conference in Madrid with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
“We continue our efforts and successive meetings have been held with the Hamas movement with the aim of bridging the gap between the two sides and reaching an agreement to achieve a ceasefire and exchange hostages and prisoners. “
With the exception of a seven-day pause in November, which led to the release of more than 100 Israeli captives and 240 Palestinian prisoners, fighting has not stopped since the war began in early October.
The negotiations are based on a plan presented on May 31 by US President Joe Biden, which calls for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza’s “main population centers” and a six-week ceasefire, which could then be extended if mediators need more time to search. a permanent agreement.
“Efforts continue, but so far we have not arrived at a formula that seems to us the most appropriate and closest to what was presented,” said the Qatari Prime Minister.
“As soon as this is done, we will communicate with the Israeli side to try to bridge the gap and reach an agreement as quickly as possible. »
