Israeli negotiators to continue hostage talks

JERUSALEM/GAZA — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorized negotiators to continue talks on a hostage release, his office said on Thursday, after Israel and Hamas traded blame for their slow progress.

Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have taken place in Doha in recent weeks, rekindling hope for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that has so far proven elusive.

But late last month the two sides accused each other of throwing up roadblocks, again delaying a deal.