Ceasefire talks were ‘serious and constructive’

A joint statement from the mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US says the talks this week in Doha were “serious and constructive”.

It says both sides were presented with a proposal that “narrows the gaps between the parties” while being consistent with the “principles” laid out in the plan presented by President Biden in May.

“Senior officials from our governments will meet again in Cairo before the end of next week, hoping to reach an agreement on the terms set out today,” the statement said, reiterating that “there is no more time to waste and no excuses for further delay that can be accepted by any party.”

“The path is now clear to achieve this outcome, to save lives, to bring relief to the people of Gaza, and to calm regional tensions.”