Hamas dismisses reports that breakthrough is imminent in ceasefire talks

Hamas has dismissed media reports that claim a breakthrough is imminent in negotiations with Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, with sources telling Middle East Eye that several obstacles remained and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was obstructing the process as mediators again push for a deal.

Sources in the Palestinian movement rubbished reports on Thursday that claimed a framework for the ceasefire had been agreed upon by the parties and that they were now negotiating details of how it would be implemented.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that there was "nothing new" to report and there was no impending "breakthrough" in negotiations, despite CIA director Bill Burns meeting senior Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials in Doha on Wednesday.

Burns travelled to Qatar earlier this week in the hope of closing remaining gaps in the framework of the ceasefire deal and moving to detailed negotiations.

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