Blinken says ‘a lot of work’ remains on Gaza ceasefire and hostage talks

US secretary of state Antony Blinken, left, and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog during their meeting at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, Israel (Mark Schiefelbein, Pool/AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said that “a lot of work” remains to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas on terms for a new ceasefire and hostage-release deal after the militant group put forward conditions that run counter to Israel’s war goals.

Hamas laid out a detailed three-phase plan to unfold over four-and-a-half months, responding to a proposal drawn up by the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt.