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| US rejects 'impractical' Hamas demands as Gaza truce hangs in balance | US rejects 'impractical' Hamas demands as Gaza truce hangs in balance |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| More than 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, says the UN | More than 90% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, says the UN |
| Talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed to reach an agreement, a Palestinian official has told the BBC, as the US accused Hamas of making "entirely impractical" demands at meetings in Qatar. | Talks to extend the Gaza ceasefire have failed to reach an agreement, a Palestinian official has told the BBC, as the US accused Hamas of making "entirely impractical" demands at meetings in Qatar. |
| Negotiators have been trying to find a way forward after the first phase of the temporary truce ended on 1 March. | Negotiators have been trying to find a way forward after the first phase of the temporary truce ended on 1 March. |
| The US proposed to extend the first phase until mid-April, including a further exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. | The US proposed to extend the first phase until mid-April, including a further exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. |
| But the unnamed Palestinian official said Israel and Hamas disagreed over key aspects of the deal set out by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff at the indirect talks. | But the unnamed Palestinian official said Israel and Hamas disagreed over key aspects of the deal set out by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff at the indirect talks. |
| Israel is yet to comment, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would receive a report from Israel's negotiating team later on Saturday. | Israel is yet to comment, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would receive a report from Israel's negotiating team later on Saturday. |
| The White House accused Hamas of making "entirely impractical" demands in its response to Witkoff's proposal. | The White House accused Hamas of making "entirely impractical" demands in its response to Witkoff's proposal. |
| It would extend the ceasefire into April but delay the negotiation of a permanent end to the war. | It would extend the ceasefire into April but delay the negotiation of a permanent end to the war. |
| A statement from Witkoff's office and the US National Security Council on Friday said: "Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not." | A statement from Witkoff's office and the US National Security Council on Friday said: "Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not." |
| "Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes." | "Hamas is well aware of the deadline, and should know that we will respond accordingly if that deadline passes." |
| A Hamas statement seen by the BBC said negotiations had broken down. | A Hamas statement seen by the BBC said negotiations had broken down. |
| Netanyahu's office had earlier said Israel accepted the US proposal. | Netanyahu's office had earlier said Israel accepted the US proposal. |
| It said Hamas remained "firm in its refusal and has not budged a millimetre," accusing the group of "manipulation and psychological warfare". | It said Hamas remained "firm in its refusal and has not budged a millimetre," accusing the group of "manipulation and psychological warfare". |
| What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal | What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal |
| US envoy in Qatar for talks on extending fragile Gaza ceasefire | US envoy in Qatar for talks on extending fragile Gaza ceasefire |
| Gaza ceasefire in peril as Israel and Hamas hit impasse | Gaza ceasefire in peril as Israel and Hamas hit impasse |
| Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal involving three stages in January, after 15 months of war. | Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal involving three stages in January, after 15 months of war. |
| In the first stage, Hamas returned 25 living Israeli hostages, the remains of eight others, and five living Thai hostages. Israel released about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. | In the first stage, Hamas returned 25 living Israeli hostages, the remains of eight others, and five living Thai hostages. Israel released about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. |
| The deal says stage two will include the remaining living hostages in Gaza exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners. | The deal says stage two will include the remaining living hostages in Gaza exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners. |
| But both sides currently disagree on the number of hostages due to be released next. | But both sides currently disagree on the number of hostages due to be released next. |
| They also disagree on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which the original deal states should be happening by now. | They also disagree on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which the original deal states should be happening by now. |
| Israel resists this point, while Hamas insists it should happen. | Israel resists this point, while Hamas insists it should happen. |
| Earlier in March, Israel blocked aid shipments to Gaza and then cut electricity, saying it aimed to put pressure on Hamas. | Earlier in March, Israel blocked aid shipments to Gaza and then cut electricity, saying it aimed to put pressure on Hamas. |
| It is believed that Hamas is still holding up to 24 living hostages in Gaza and the remains of 35 others. | It is believed that Hamas is still holding up to 24 living hostages in Gaza and the remains of 35 others. |
| As indirect talks continued on Friday, the group said in a statement it was ready to release the last living Israeli-American hostage it is known to be holding. | As indirect talks continued on Friday, the group said in a statement it was ready to release the last living Israeli-American hostage it is known to be holding. |
| Edan Alexander, 21, was serving as an Israeli soldier close to Gaza when he was taken. | |
| Under the terms of the original ceasefire agreement, it was expected that he would have been among the last hostages to be released. | Under the terms of the original ceasefire agreement, it was expected that he would have been among the last hostages to be released. |
| The group also said it would hand over the remains of four other dual nationals captured during the 7 October 2023 attacks. | The group also said it would hand over the remains of four other dual nationals captured during the 7 October 2023 attacks. |
| It did not give further details or make clear what it would demand in return. | It did not give further details or make clear what it would demand in return. |
| Witkoff dismissed the offer, saying Hamas was trying to appear flexible in public while being impractical in private. | Witkoff dismissed the offer, saying Hamas was trying to appear flexible in public while being impractical in private. |
| The attacks led by Hamas on 7 October 2023 killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, with 251 taken hostage. | The attacks led by Hamas on 7 October 2023 killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel, mostly civilians, with 251 taken hostage. |
| The assault triggered an Israeli military offensive that has since killed more than 48,520 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry which are used by the UN and others. | The assault triggered an Israeli military offensive that has since killed more than 48,520 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry which are used by the UN and others. |
| Most of Gaza's 2.1 million population has been displaced multiple times. | Most of Gaza's 2.1 million population has been displaced multiple times. |
| An estimated 70% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, healthcare, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. | An estimated 70% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, healthcare, water, and sanitation systems have collapsed and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. |
| Additional reporting by Emir Nader. | Additional reporting by Emir Nader. |