Qatari leader says Gaza ceasefire is at a critical moment

Tents sheltering displaced Palestinians stand amid the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Qatar’s prime minister has said the Gaza ceasefire has reached a “critical moment” as its first phase winds down, with the remains of just one Israeli hostage still held by militants in Gaza.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told an international conference in the Qatari capital that international mediators, led by the US, are working “to force the way forward” to the second phase to cement the deal.