Negotiations over Gaza ceasefire resume in Qatar

Representatives from Israel and a team of meditators from the US, Qatar and Egypt resumed talks in Doha on Thursday to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. Members of Hamas did not take part, but they are expected to consult with the meditators after the discussions are finished.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby described the negotiations as "an important step" to bring about an end to the fighting. However, he says "there remains a lot of work to do" and that the meetings are expected to run into Friday.

The talks came as more than 100 hostages are still reportedly being held by Hamas.

The delay in reaching a settlement has prompted anger and frustration among the families of the captives and their supporters. Many have directed their anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government. Protestors took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Thursday, chanting, "We will not abandon them in Gaza, we will bring them all home."

One of the demonstrators said: "We want to say to the negotiating team, if a deal is not signed in the coming days at this summit, do not return to Israel. You have no reason to return without a deal."

The negotiations come as health authorities in Gaza say the fighting has reached a grim milestone. They say more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, put the blame on the Israeli army. He accused troops of failing to comply with the rules of war.

(責任編輯：Encyclopedia)