Qatar: Hostages currently held could be released if fighting ceases
‘Emergence of mediator’ Qatar, possibility of reexamination of diplomatic relations with Hamas
It was reported that Israel conveyed through Qatar, which acted as mediator, that it was prepared to offer something to Hamas in return for the release of a significant number of hostages.
On the 26th (local time), Israeli public broadcaster Khan and daily Times of Israel quoted an anonymous source as saying, “Israel has informed Qatari mediators that (Hamas) is ready to give something in return for the release of a significant number of hostages.” reported. Israel is said to have also delivered a ‘red line’ for negotiations to Qatar.
Qatar is currently negotiating with Hamas as a mediator regarding the release of an estimated 220 hostages.
Israel and Hamas have recently been negotiating a plan to bring fuel to Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages through mediation by Qatar and Egypt, but Israel has rejected the proposal citing concerns about ‘diversion for military purposes’. In addition to fuel supplies to Gaza, Hamas is demanding a ceasefire and the release of 6,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
Nothing has been revealed about what Israel will offer this time in return for the release of additional hostages. It was also unclear what Israel had offered Hamas in return for releasing four hostages over the past week.
Qatar said hostages currently being held in the Gaza Strip could be released if fighting between the two sides ceases. Qatari Foreign Minister Muhammad Al Khulaifi, who is in charge of hostage negotiations, told Sky News on this day, “If both sides stop fighting, all hostages could be released within a few days.” He added, “Release negotiations are difficult, but mediators are making progress.” “Our goal is to release all hostages,” he said.
However, he again emphasized, “If we want to free more hostages, the fighting must be halted for a while.” “For mediators to play their best role, a ‘period of calm’ must be reached,” he said, adding that escalation of war could make hostage negotiations more difficult. “We are trying to send this message to both sides,” he said.
Meanwhile, Qatar, which emerged as a mediator between Western countries and Hamas through a multifaceted network in the Israel-Hamas conflict, decided to review its diplomatic relations with Hamas as soon as the hostage issue is resolved.
On this day, the Washington Post cited four sources familiar with the hostage negotiations and reported, “No decision has yet been made on whether Qatar will include in its review a plan to expel Hamas leaders hiding in the country or other similar measures.” .
The agreement was reportedly reached during a recent meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. WP noted, “It appears to be an attempt to balance the United States’ short-term goal of rescuing as many hostages as possible and its long-term strategy of isolating Hamas.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.