Storyline: In a joint statement issued by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the three mediators affirmed their role as guarantors of a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal, saying they would help ensure that all three stages of the ceasefire will be fully implemented by both parties.

Key mediator Qatar said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" on Tuesday, expressing hope an agreement could be reached "very soon".Qatar, Egypt and the United States have intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire to enable the release of hostages taken during Hamas's October 7,