TEL AVIV, Israel -- International mediators were set to hold a new round of talks Thursday aimed at halting the Israel-Hamas war and securing the release of scores of hostages, with a potential deal seen as the best hope of heading off an even larger regional conflict.

The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are scheduled to meet with an Israeli delegation in Qatar as the Palestinian death toll from the ongoing conflict, which has lasted for 10 months, approaches 40,000. Hamas has not confirmed its participation, accusing Israel of introducing new demands into a proposed agreement that had previously enjoyed U.S. and international support.

A cease-fire in Gaza would likely ease tensions across the region and potentially dissuade Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon from retaliating against Israel following the killing of a high-ranking Hezbollah commander in an Israeli airstrike and the death of Hamas' top political leader in an explosion in Iran's capital.

Mediators have been working for months to finalize a three-stage plan whereby Hamas would release a large number of hostages captured during the Oct. 7 attack that ignited the war in exchange for a lasting cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of Palestinians held by Israel.

Both sides have agreed in principle to the plan, which President Joe Biden announced on May 31 . However, Hamas has suggested “amendments” and Israel has proposed “clarifications,” resulting in each side accusing the other of demanding concessions they cannot accept.

Hamas has rejected Israel's most recent proposals, which include a permanent military presence along the Egyptian border and a line dividing Gaza where Israel would search Palestinians returning home to identify militants. Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan told The Associated Press the group is only interested in discussing how to implement Biden's plan and not in further negotiating its details.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists Israel has not made new demands, but he has also repeatedly raised concerns about the ceasefire's duration, stating Israel remains committed to achieving “total victory” against Hamas and securing the release of all hostages.

The two sides are also at odds over the details of the hostage-prisoner exchange, including the criteria for the release of Palestinian prisoners and whether they would be allowed to return to Gaza. Hamas is demanding the release of high-profile militants convicted of orchestrating attacks that resulted in the deaths of Israeli citizens.

The war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack across the heavily fortified border on Oct. 7, catching Israel's highly regarded security and intelligence services off guard. The militants stormed through agricultural communities and military bases, causing the deaths of over 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians.

They also kidnapped another 250 individuals. During a week-long truce in November, over 100 were released. Around 110 are believed to remain inside Gaza, although Israeli authorities suspect that roughly one-third of them perished on Oct. 7 or while in captivity. Seven were rescued in military operations.

Israel's military response has resulted in the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were combatants. The offensive has left widespread destruction throughout the region and displaced the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, forcing many to relocate multiple times.

Repeated evacuation orders and military operations have forced hundreds of thousands of people into a so-called humanitarian zone along the coast where they live in crowded tent camps with few services. Aid groups have struggled to deliver food and supplies, prompting warnings of famine .

Hamas has suffered significant losses, but its fighters have repeatedly managed to regroup, even in heavily destroyed areas where Israeli forces had previously operated. Its top leader and one of the architects of the Oct. 7 attack, Yahya Sinwar, is still believed to be alive and hiding inside Gaza , likely sheltering in Hamas' vast tunnel network.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israel along the border, claiming to be supporting its ally, Hamas. Other Iranian-backed groups across the region have launched attacks against Israeli, American, and international targets, provoking retaliatory actions.

Iran and Israel engaged in a direct exchange of fire for the first time in April, after Iran retaliated for an apparent Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria that killed two Iranian generals. Many fear a repeat after the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was visiting Iran for the inauguration of its new president. The explosion was widely attributed to Israel. Israel has not confirmed its involvement.

Hezbollah, vowing to avenge the death of its commander, Fouad Shukur, has raised fears of a potentially devastating escalation of the 2006 war between Israel and the militant group.

Still, Iran and Hezbollah say they do not want a full-blown conflict, and a cease-fire in Gaza could provide a way out after days of escalating threats and a massive military build-up across the region.

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