A fresh round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun in the Qatari capital Doha between representatives of Hamas and Israel.

A senior Hamas official Abdul Rehman Shadid in a statement expressed hope that the current round of negotiations would lead to tangible progress toward beginning the second phase of ceasefire.

The first 42-day phase of the truce deal expired earlier this month without agreement on subsequent stages meant to secure a lasting end to the war.

Meanwhile, the US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who has landed in Doha is set to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday.