Mediators hold new Gaza cease-fire talks and hope to head off a wider war

Associated Press

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — International mediators have held a new round of talks aimed at halting the Israel-Hamas war and securing the release of scores of hostages. A potential deal is seen as the best hope of heading off an even larger regional conflict. The U.S., Qatar and Egypt met on Thursday with an Israeli delegation in Qatar. During talks, Gaza health authorities announced the Palestinian death toll from more than 10 months of war has surpassed 40,000. Hamas didn’t participate directly and accuses Israel of adding new demands to a previous proposal that had international support and to which Hamas had agreed in principle. Talks were expected to run into Friday.