Gaza ceasefire talks paused with resumption planned next week

Biden optimistic about deal prospects, warns against efforts to undermine process

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Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha paused on Aug 16, with negotiators to meet again next week to seek an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages, as US President Joe Biden said "we are not there yet".

In a joint statement, the US, Qatar and Egypt said Washington had presented a new proposal that built on points of agreement over the past week, closing gaps in a way that could allow rapid implementation of a deal.

Mediators would keep working on the proposal, they added.

"The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza and de-escalating regional tensions," the statement said.

On Aug 15, Israel and mediators began the latest round in months of talks to end the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Palestinian militant group Hamas was not directly involved, but was briefed on the talks.

Senior Hamas official Izzat alRishq said Israel "did not abide by what was agreed upon" in earlier talks, citing what mediators had told the group.

In Washington, Mr Biden said a deal was "much, much closer" than before the talks began.

A senior US administration official said the latest negotiations were the most productive in months, and negotiators will reconvene next week in Cairo hoping to conclude it.

"It was (the) consensus of all of the participants over the past 48 hours that there's really a new spirit here to drive it to a conclusion," the official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.

"The Israeli team that was here was empowered... We made a lot of progress in the number of issues that we've been working on," the official added.