Negotiations between Israel and Hamas hit a last-minute snag, delaying the expected announcement of a ceasefire agreement to pause the devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Negotiators were trying to hammer out the final details of a complex, phased ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after marathon talks in Qatar aiming to end a conflict that has inflicted widespread death and destruction and upended the Middle East.

Qatar will hold a briefing shortly in Doha as Israel and Hamas make a final push for a Gaza ceasefire. Negotiators in Qatar appeared close to sealing a deal for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant group Hamas after 15 months of war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.