Indirect talks in Doha aimed at securing a cease-fire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas have stalled, according to multiple Palestinian and Israeli sources. Mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States began a week ago and centres on a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day halt in fighting. Palestinian negotiators say the main obstacle is an Israeli plan to keep troops in roughly 40% of the Gaza Strip during the truce. Hamas insists on a full military pull-out and has rejected the Israeli withdrawal map presented in recent sessions. The Islamist group also wants assurances that hostilities will not resume once captives are exchanged. An Israeli political official countered that Hamas is "sabotaging" the process by refusing to compromise. Mediators have asked Israel for a revised deployment map, which diplomats expect to be delivered within the next 24 hours. Despite the impasse, both sides say discussions will continue. Washington’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due in Doha in the coming days in an effort to break the deadlock. Negotiators report limited progress on increasing humanitarian aid deliveries and organising a phased prisoner-for-hostage swap, but say neither issue can advance without agreement on the scope of Israeli troop withdrawals. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The territory’s health authorities put the Palestinian death toll from Israel’s 21-month military campaign at more than 57,000, while Israel says Hamas’ October 2023 attack killed about 1,200 people and left 251 hostages, some of whom are believed still alive.