Analysts say significant gaps remain, including over the presence of Israeli troops in Gaza and Hamas’s future role.

Hamas is unlikely to compromise in Gaza, despite the decision by its ally, Hezbollah, to stop fighting. A deal in Gaza would also be harder for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Following a deal to end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, attention has swung back to the battered Gaza Strip, but any hopes of a rapid end to the war there look likely to be dashed.