Israel and Hamas are not close to a deal on a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and releasing hostages, mediator Qatar said on Tuesday, warning the situation remained "very complicated."
Previously, Qatar mediated a one-week break in fighting in late November © Mena Today
Israel and Hamas are not close to a deal on a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and releasing hostages, mediator Qatar said on Tuesday, warning the situation remained "very complicated."
Despite weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on Monday without the start of a widely expected truce and hostage exchange.
"We are not near a deal, meaning that we are not seeing both sides converging on language that can resolve the current disagreement over the implementation of a deal," foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a news conference.
All parties were "continuing to work in the negotiations to reach a deal hopefully within the confines of Ramadan," Ansari said.
But he added that he could not "offer any timeline" on a deal and explained the conflict remained "very complicated on the ground."
Previously, Qatar mediated a one-week break in fighting in late November that led to the release of scores of Israeli and foreign hostages, as well as aid entering the besieged Palestinian territory.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam delivered a sweeping and unusually candid interview to Saudi channel Al-Hadath Sunday evening, laying bare the full extent of Iran's direct military command over Hezbollah in Lebanon, and reaffirming his government's determination to end the conflict through direct negotiations with Israel.
US President Donald Trump launched a new broadside against Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday, calling him a "liar, weak and pathetic" in an interview with Israeli channel Channel 14, as reported by Haaretz.
The Israeli military eliminated Abu Khalil Bourji, commander of the special forces of Hezbollah's elite Al-Radwan Unit, along with two other fighters, in a precision airstrike on Majdel Selm in South Lebanon on Saturday.
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