Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday that talks on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages are "going through a sensitive stage with some stalling."

"We are trying as much as possible to address this stalling," he told a news conference, without giving further details.

The ceasefire discussions, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, are continuing as a humanitarian crisis devastates Palestinians in Gaza with severe shortages of food, medicine and hospital care.

(With input from agencies)