by 
Negotiations in Qatar between Israel and Hamas for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release have hit a deadlock after three days of indirect talks, a Palestinian official told the BBC. Key issues include the distribution of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently visiting the US, held an unscheduled second meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday, raising hopes for a breakthrough. Netanyahu said the talks focused on freeing hostages, with Israel estimating 50 remain in captivity, up to 20 of whom may be alive. US envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism, noting only one unresolved issue remains and hoping for a 60-day ceasefire agreement by week's end. However, the Palestinian official said Israel’s refusal to allow unrestricted aid through UN agencies, insistence on maintaining the current aid distribution system via the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, and rejection of troop withdrawals from occupied areas since March 18 have stalled progress. Qatar, mediating alongside the US and Egypt, warned more time is needed. The proposed deal would see Hamas release 28 hostages—10 alive, 18 deceased—in stages during a 60-day ceasefire, with Israel freeing large numbers of Palestinian prisoners and increasing aid deliveries. Israeli forces would partially withdraw from northern and southern Gaza in phases. Meanwhile, overnight Israeli strikes in Khan Younis and al-Shati refugee camp killed at least 20 people, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defence agency. The Israeli military has not commented. The conflict, sparked by a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, has led to at least 57,575 deaths in Gaza, per the Hamas-run health ministry. Most of Gaza’s population is displaced, with over 90% of homes damaged or destroyed and critical systems collapsed.
