An Israeli technical delegation is in Doha for talks on a potential ceasefire

An Israeli official told Reuters that an Israeli technical team was in Doha for working-level talks with Qatari mediators on the "remaining issues" of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

The official said a delegation consisting of Israeli intelligence and Secret Service (Mossad), Israel's General National Security Service (Shin Bet) and military personnel was headed to Qatar on Monday (December 16) to take part in further discussions on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages.

The talks are now focused on bridging the gap between Israel and Hamas on a deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31.

He said the Israeli delegation's visit did not necessarily indicate "significant progress in the negotiations or that the two sides are close to an agreement."

Multiple rounds of Gaza ceasefire talks have been held in Doha, Qatar, and Cairo, Egypt, in the past few months, but have failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict.

In recent weeks, efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to reach a cease-fire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip have made steady progress, but no agreement has been reached to end the conflict.