Israel and Hamas have not come close to agreeing on the terms for ending hostilities and releasing captives, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari.
He mentioned during a press briefing that there is still a significant gap between the positions of both parties regarding the specifics of a potential deal.
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”.
The war started with the October 7 Hamas attack that resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on Israeli official figures.
The militants also took around 250 hostages, dozens of whom were released during a week-long truce in November. Israel believes 99 hostages remain alive in Gaza, along with the bodies of 31.
Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,112 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
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.
