Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed, Hamas official says

A Hamas official said on Thursday that international mediators have resumed negotiating with the Palestinian group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end Israel's 14-month war on Gaza was within reach, the Associated Press reported.

Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States because of their frustration over a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas.

But there has been a “reactivation” of efforts in recent days to end the fighting, release captives from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel, according to Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political bureau who spoke with The Associated Press in Turkey.

Another official familiar with the talks confirmed the return of Qatari mediators.