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Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that there is progress in negotiations to reach a prisoner exchange deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, and stressed that it is the only opportunity available to calm the situation in Gaza.

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister added in statements he made in Washington, “I think at the present time I can say that the progress we have achieved in the past two weeks puts us in a better position than we were weeks ago... We saw that the entire process was working well in November, which led to To the release of 109 hostages... Unfortunately, this operation collapsed at that time... and the intensity of the war increased, making the situation more complicated.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman stressed that Qatar has no influence on any party regarding the ongoing negotiations regarding the hostage exchange deal, and pointed out that Qatar’s role is to mediate to reach a negotiated solution, and said, “Now our primary role as mediators is to do what we can to reach a negotiated solution that restores The prisoners are returned safely to their homes, and it also leads to an end to the bombing of Gaza and the killing of civilians. We see the numbers rising tragically. We see that what is happening in Gaza does not lead to the return of the hostages.”

He continued, "Qatar's role must be clearly understood in this context. Our role is the mediator who tries to bring the parties together to bridge the gaps and bring positions closer together. Beyond that, we do not see Qatar as a superpower that can impose pressure on this or that party. We basically use our good offices to communicate." "To fill the gaps and develop solutions to come up with some alternatives. This is the capabilities that Qatar possesses, and this method has succeeded."

He added that the focus must be on bringing calm to the Gaza Strip as it is essential for reducing the escalation in the region. He said, “We do not encourage any attacks on any country in our region, and we believe that those who launch attacks must be held accountable. We always call for reducing the escalation and containing the situation.” "The situation. Our region cannot deal with an additional escalation. We must focus on bringing calm to the Gaza Strip, which is essential for reducing the escalation in the region."

Talks in Washington

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister held discussions with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Washington. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that the two parties reviewed the strategic relations between the two countries, discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, the necessity of finding a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue and the continued entry of humanitarian aid in a sustainable manner into the Gaza Strip, in addition to the latest developments in the region and ways to reduce the escalation.

Blinken stressed that Qatar plays an important role in mediation, and explained that he discussed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani the ongoing efforts to release prisoners and reach an expanded truce. He considered that the proposed proposal regarding a new exchange deal was “strong and convincing,” and spoke of a great consensus between the countries. Concerned with his strength.

For its part, Israeli Channel 12 quoted the families of the prisoners, after the meeting that brought them together with the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in Washington, that they clarified their position that all concerned parties must reach an agreement to return the detainees to their families. They also thanked Qatar. for its efforts to reach a new agreement.

Meeting and leaks

In Israel, the War Council held a session late yesterday evening, Monday, to discuss the details of the proposed prisoner exchange deal. Israeli media said that the meeting was held after Mossad chief David Barnea returned from the Paris meeting in which Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar participated.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Paris discussions dealt with a plan to release Israeli detainees in stages, and quoted a source as saying that those attending the meeting discussed a ceasefire for approximately two months in exchange for the release of about 100 Israeli prisoners, with Israel releasing a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

For its part, the newspaper "Haaretz" revealed a "preliminary" mediation proposal that has not yet been presented to the Hamas movement, which includes the release of 35 Israeli detainees in exchange for a cessation of fighting in the Gaza Strip for a period of 6 weeks, and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, provided that it includes a group Hostages are women, older men, and the sick or injured.

The newspaper quoted unnamed Israeli sources as saying that the proposal “is being discussed with the participation of the United States, Israel, Egypt and Qatar,” adding that although progress was achieved in this regard during the Paris meeting, “the gaps between the positions of Israel and Hamas are still large.”

She pointed out that "Israel wants to leave itself the option of resuming the war after completing the hostage deal, while Hamas wants a long-term ceasefire that includes guarantees for the safety of its leaders."

Israel estimates that there are about 136 prisoners in Gaza, while it holds at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons.

Stop the war first

For its part, Hamas renewed its position on the exchange deal, and said that the deal is contingent on stopping the war on Gaza and the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Strip.

Taher Al-Nono, media advisor to the head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, told Agence France-Presse that there must first be a comprehensive and complete ceasefire and not just a temporary truce.

Al-Nono stressed that when the war stops, the rest of the details can be discussed, including the release of Israeli prisoners.

In a statement published yesterday, Hamas said that it and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine insist that Israel stop its war on Gaza and withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip before concluding any prisoner exchange agreement.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies