US, Egypt and Qatar call on Israel and Hamas to resume ceasefire talks

The leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar yesterday called on Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations to finalise a ceasefire and hostage release deal, saying there were no excuses "from any party for further delay".

- Bethan McKernan

The three countries, which have been trying to mediate a deal, said in a joint statement the talks could take place in either Doha or Cairo on 15 August, adding that it was "time to bring immediate relief both to the longsuffering people of Gaza as well as the longsuffering hostages and their families".

The leaders said a framework agreement was "now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude", and offered to present "a final bridging proposal" that resolved the remaining issues, such as the length of the first stage of a ceasefire and how and where Israeli troops would withdraw.

Moments after the release of the statement, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israeli negotiators would be there. The aim, he said, was "to finalise the details and implement the framework agreement". Netanyahu's administration has been accused of repeatedly sabotaging ceasefire talks.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas. The announcement of the talks came after militant group named Yahya Sinwar the alleged mastermind of the 7 October attack - as its new leader, prompting fears that negotiations have become even more difficult. Sinwar was appointed after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last month.

Britain's foreign secretary, David Lammy, joined the calls for talks to resume, saying yesterday: "There can be no more delays, the fighting must stop now... all hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas must be released.