Egypt and Qatar said on Sunday they were continuing efforts to converge views and overcome disagreements to reach a Gaza ceasefire, based on a proposal by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. In a joint statement carried by Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the two countries called on all parties to support mediators’ efforts to end the war.

Hamas said on Saturday it was seeking amendments to a US-backed proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Israel in Gaza, but President Trump’s envoy rejected the group’s response as “totally unacceptable”. Hamas said it was willing to release ten living hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 dead in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. However, Hamas reiterated demands for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, conditions Israel has rejected. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while his government had agreed to Witkoff’s outline, Hamas continued to reject the plan.

Al Jazeera.