Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have “hit an impasse in recent days”, Al Jazeera reports citing the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Citing “Arab mediators”, the WSJ said the two sides were considering a 60-day ceasefire during which up to 30 Israeli captives held in Gaza would have been released.

In exchange, Israel was to set Palestinian prisoners free and allow greater humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, the mediators said. But the talks have now stalled.

“Mediators said Israel insisted that it receive only living hostages in any exchange and refused to approve the release of some of the Palestinian detainees sought by Hamas,” the WSJ said.

Hamas also demanded the ceasefire be a “path to an end to the war”, it added.