Gaza ceasefire can be reached but may take more time, Israeli officials say

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, hands President Donald Trump a folder during a meeting in the Blue Room of the White House, Monday, July 7, 2025, in Washington. Picture: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Gaps in Gaza ceasefiretalks underway in Qatar between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas can be bridged, but it may take more than a few days to reach a deal, Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

The new push by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators to halt fighting in the battered enclave has gained pace since Sunday, when the warring sides began indirect talks in Doha and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set out to Washington.