Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators have called on Israel and Hamas to “finalise” the truce deal outlined by US President Joe Biden, as Israeli forces pounded Rafah in southern Gaza, AFP reports.

Fighting has raged in the besieged Gaza Strip since Biden said Israel was offering a new roadmap towards a full ceasefire. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since insisted his country would pursue the offensive until it had achieved all its aims.

In a joint statement, Qatar, the United States and Egypt said that “as mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees”, they “call on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called foreign ministers from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Friday to press the deal, and on Saturday spoke with the Qatari, Egyptian and Emirati ministers.

UN chief Antonio Guterres “strongly hopes” the latest development “will lead to an agreement by the parties for lasting peace”, a spokesman said.