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Greater than 200 individuals are thought to have been taken to Gaza after Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has mentioned that solely “minor” challenges stay to a deal to launch a few of the greater than 200 folks taken captive into Gaza after Hamas’s assault on Israel final month.
Sheikh Mohammed, a former overseas minister, gave few further particulars or a timeline.
“The challenges that stay within the negotiations are very minor in comparison with the larger challenges. They’re extra logistical; they’re extra sensible,” he informed a joint press convention with the European Union’s overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell.
Qatar has been appearing as an intermediary in negotiations to free these taken captive in Hamas’s shock assault on Israel on October 7, during which not less than 1,200 folks had been killed.
After the assault, Israel launched a relentless air and ground campaign on the besieged Gaza Strip, bombarding the densely-populated territory in an effort to destroy Hamas. Greater than 13,000 folks have been killed within the weeks since.
Borrell, who was as a result of meet Qatar’s emir earlier than travelling to Jordan, referred to as for the “unconditional launch” of all captives and condemned Hamas for the assault.
“There’s no hierarchy between horrors, one horror doesn’t justify one other horror,” he mentioned, urging an finish to the escalating violence and the creation of “sustainable peace” within the area.
The Reuters information company reported on November 15 that Qatari mediators had been searching for a deal between Israel and Hamas to change 50 captives in return for a three-day ceasefire that will assist enhance emergency assist shipments to Gaza civilians, citing an official briefed on the talks.
On the time, the official mentioned basic outlines had been agreed, however that Israel was nonetheless negotiating particulars.
On Saturday, the Washington Put up newspaper reported a tentative settlement had been reached to free the ladies and kids among the many captives in change for a pause in preventing.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper mentioned all events would halt fight operations for not less than 5 days with the captives to be launched in small teams.
The US newspaper’s report was denied by the White Home, which mentioned discussions on a deal had been persevering with. On Sunday, United States President Joe Biden informed reporters he was not able to say when the captives is likely to be freed. “I wish to be certain they’re out after which I’ll inform you,” he mentioned at an occasion in Virginia.
Sheikh Mohammed mentioned on Sunday that such reviews had been “counterproductive” and that the negotiating course of went via ups and downs.
“I believe that I’m now extra assured that we’re shut sufficient to succeed in a deal that may carry the folks safely again to their houses,” he mentioned.
The talks are persevering with as Israel prepares to develop its floor offensive in opposition to Hamas into Gaza’s southern half.
The US, Israel’s predominant ally, has urged warning, as Gaza’s 2.3 million folks wrestle to search out anyplace secure to remain out of the road of fireside.
The civilian dying toll in Gaza was “staggering and unacceptable,” United Nations Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres mentioned on Sunday as he renewed his attraction for a right away humanitarian ceasefire.
Israel has to date refused all requires a ceasefire.
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