Israeli officials said on Tuesday that gaps can be bridged between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas at peace talks in Qatar, though it may take more than a few days to reach a deal to free hostages and halt fighting.

A senior Israeli official played down the chances of an imminent end to the war in Gaza, even as US President Donald Trump said negotiators were “very close” to a ceasefire.

Israeli forces were targeting "terrorist infrastructure" in southern Gaza, the military said Friday, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced hope that an agreement with Hamas could be reached within days for a pause in the 21-month war.