Qatar declines comment on Biden remarks about Gaza ceasefire

Qatar cannot comment on remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden that a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas could be agreed next week, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Majed Al-Ansari told a press conference there was no breakthrough to announce on a ceasefire and hostage deal, but that Qatar was "pushing hard" for the agreement sketched out in Paris to be accepted by Israel and Hamas, which runs Gaza.

He said Qatar was "upbeat and optimistic on Gaza mediation talks".