Gaza cease-fire talks off to a 'promising start' in Doha -- White House | DW News

US officials have said that negotiations to bring an end to the war in Gaza are off to a "promising start." The talks come as the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the Palestinian death toll from the conflict has surpassed 40,000. Hamas, which sparked the war with its October 7 terror attacks on Israel, is not taking part in the talks. Israel is feeling pressure at home to reach a deal for the release of the remaining hostages. The US and its allies hope a cease-fire might also avert expected Iranian-led reprisals for the recent assissinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility for the killing of Haniyeh on Iranian soil.