US, other frustrated mediators call on Israel, Hamas to resume Gaza talks

Leaders of the United States, Egypt and Qatar jointly demanded Israel and Hamas return to stalled talks on the war in Gaza next week, saying Thursday that only the details of carrying out a cease-fire and hostage release remain to be negotiated.

There is no further time to waste, nor excuses from any party for further delay, they said in a joint statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday that it had accepted the invitation.

President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Emir Tamim al-Thani, mediators in indirect negotiations to end 10 months of devastating war in Gaza, set the talks for August 15, to take place in either Doha, Qatar, or Cairo.

A senior US official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the push by mediators, said only four or five areas of disagreement over implementation remained to be resolved between the two opponents.

The official cited the timing of a planned swap of Palestinian ..