The conclusion of an agreement for the release of hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian movement Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7 is now based on “minor” practical issues, the Qatari prime minister said on Sunday, without giving a timetable.
“The remaining challenges in the negotiations are very few (…) They are more logistical, they are more practical,” explained Mohammed bin Abdelrahmane Al-Thani during a press conference in Doha together with the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrell .
The negotiations for an agreement “have had ups and downs in the last few weeks”. I think I’m more confident now that we’re close enough to reach an agreement that will allow these people (the hostages) to return home safely,” he added.
The Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7 killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. According to Israeli authorities, about 240 people were taken hostage by the Palestinian Islamist movement that day.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to “destroy” Hamas, which seized power in Gaza in 2007. Israeli bombings of the Gaza Strip have since claimed 12,300 lives, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian movement’s government.
Qatar, which hosts a Hamas political office, was involved in the mediation that facilitated the release of four hostages in October: an American woman and her daughter and two Israeli women.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said he rejects any ceasefire until all hostages are released.