Qatar cannot comment on remarks by US President Joe Biden that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be agreed next week, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, Reuters reports.

Majed Al-Ansari told a press conference there was no breakthrough to announce on a ceasefire and hostage deal, but that Qatar was “pushing hard” for the agreement sketched out in Paris to be accepted by Israel and Hamas.

He said Qatar was “upbeat and optimistic on Gaza mediation talks”.