CAIRO/JERUSALEM: Efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza are facing significant obstacles, with negotiators divided over how far Israeli forces should withdraw from the enclave, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources familiar with the talks in Doha.
The indirect negotiations over a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire continued on Saturday, marking a week since discussions began. An Israeli official told Reuters that while talks were ongoing throughout the day, little progress had been made toward resolving key differences.
The proposal under discussion envisions a gradual return of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a phased halt to fighting and partial Israeli troop pullbacks. However, disagreements over the scale and pace of any Israeli withdrawal remain a central sticking point.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed hope for a breakthrough soon, citing Washington’s support for the new plan as a possible basis for ending the months-long conflict.
Mediators in Doha are expected to continue pushing for a compromise in the coming days, though officials on both sides warned that without movement on the withdrawal question, prospects for an immediate agreement appear slim.
