Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza remain at an early stage after more than a week of negotiations, but mediators are stepping up efforts to reach a truce between Israel and Hamas, Qatari mediators stress.

“Discussions on the framework agreement are continuing. Both delegations are here in Doha and the mediators are intensifying their efforts to reach an agreement,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told reporters.

“The negotiations are still in the first phase, which is specifically about reaching an agreement of principles before the negotiations start in the next phase,” he said.

“We cannot say whether an agreement will be reached tomorrow or whether the negotiations will collapse tomorrow,” Ansari added, further noting: “We believe there is no deadlock, no timetable has been set for the talks.”