Ceasefire talks are still in ‘first phase,’ but efforts are ‘intensifying,’ says Qatar

Gaza ceasefire talks remain in their “first phase” after more than a week of talks, even as mediators step up efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas, Qatar says.

“Discussions on the framework agreement are still ongoing. Both delegations are present here in Doha, and the mediators are intensifying efforts to reach an agreement,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari tells reporters.

“The negotiations are still in the first phase, which is specifically about reaching an agreement of principle ahead of negotiations that will begin, God willing, in the next phase,” he says.

“We cannot say whether an agreement will be reached tomorrow or whether the negotiations will collapse tomorrow,” Ansari adds.

The Qatari spokesman insists: “We believe there is no stalemate,” adding that there is no set timeframe in place for the talks.