The conclusion of an agreement on the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel is now based on “minor” practical issues, Qatar’s prime minister said this Sunday, without giving a timetable.
“The challenges that remain in the negotiations are much smaller (…) They are more logistical, they are more practical,” Mohammed ben Abdelrahmane Al-Thani said at a press conference in Doha, together with the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Joseph Borrell.
The negotiations aimed at an agreement have had “ups and downs” in recent weeks, he said.
“I think I am now more confident that we are close enough to reach an agreement that will allow these people (the hostages) to return home safely”he added.
The Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7 killed 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, according to Israeli authorities. They estimate that about 240 people were taken hostage by the Palestinian movement that day.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to “destroy” Hamas, which took power in Gaza in 2007. Since then, Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip have killed 12,300 people, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian Movement government.
Qatar, home to a Hamas political office, was involved in the mediation that led to the release of four hostages in October: an American woman and her daughter and two Israeli women.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that there can be no ceasefire until all hostages are released.
Source: DN
