Mughrabi and Maayan Lubell DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Negotiators were trying to hammer out the final details of a complex, phased ceasefire in Gaza on Wednesday after marathon talks in Qatar aiming to end a conflict that has inflicted widespread death and destruction and upended the Middle East.

The first phase, spanning a 42-day ceasefire, would see the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, U.S. officials said.

Majed al-Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister, said on Jan. 14 that ceasefire "talks are now underway on the final details" and that a deal is at the "closest point" it has ever been.