US, Egypt, Qatar calls on Israel, Hamas to resume talks

United States, Egypt and Qatar have released a joint statement calling on Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

 

The statement said the three nations had forged a "framework agreement" that had "only the details of implementation left to conclude”.

Israel said it would send negotiators to the proposed talks, which are pencilled in for fifteenth of this month in Doha or Cairo but Hamas did not immediately respond.

The renewed diplomatic push will be seen as an attempt to stop regional tensions from spiralling out of control, after Hamas’ leader, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated last week.

Iran which blamed Israel, has vowed a response - though Israel has not commented directly on the killing.