Gaza truce talks falter over Israeli withdrawal as 17 killed near aid site

Progress is stalling at talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza, with the sides divided over the extent of Israeli forces' withdrawal from the Palestinian enclave, Palestinian and Israeli sources familiar with the negotiations in Doha said on Saturday.

The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire continued throughout Saturday, said an Israeli official, seven days since discussions began. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he hopes for a breakthrough soon based on the new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.

In Gaza, medics said 17 people trying to get food aid were killed on Saturday when Israeli troops opened fire – the latest mass shooting around a U.S.-backed aid distribution system that the UN says has resulted in 800 deaths in six weeks.

Witnesses described people being shot in the head and torso. The Israeli military said its troops had fired warning shots, but that a review of the incident found no evidence of anyone being injured by its soldiers' fire.

Delegations from Israel and Hamas have been in Qatar pushing for an agreement that envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals, and discussions on ending the war.

The Israeli official blamed the impasse on Hamas, which he said "remains stubborn, sticking to positions that do not allow the mediators to advance an agreement." Hamas has previously blamed Israeli demands for blocking a deal.

A Palestinian source said Hamas had rejected withdrawal maps proposed by Israel that would leave around 40 percent of Gaza under Israeli control, including all of the southern area of Rafah and further territory in northern and eastern Gaza.

Two Israeli sources said Hamas wants Israel to retreat to the lines it held in a previous ceasefire before it renewed its offensive in March.

The Palestinian source said aid issues and guarantees on ending the war were also presenting challenges.

Hamas has long demanded an agreement to end the war before it would release the remaining hostages. Israel has insisted it will end the fighting only when all hostages are released and Hamas is dismantled as a fighting force and governing authority in Gaza.

(With input from Reuters)