Hostage deal announcement between Israel, Hamas imminent, says top Qatari official
Qatar is hoping to announce a deal as soon as today to release civilian hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack in exchange for a pause in fighting, reported CNN.
Dr Majed bin Mohamed Al Ansari, Official Spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said he was ‘very optimistic’ that a truce was near.
“We’re very optimistic about reaching a truce that will lead to a ceasefire in Palestine. Mediations have reached an important point and a statement will be issued as soon as agreement is reached regarding release of prisoners,” he was quoted as saying by local media.
US officials close to the negotiations stressed that while the deal is not done, they were increasingly optimistic that weeks of hard work was about to pay off with a hostage release.
Multiple sources said the deal would call for the release of 50 women and children hostages that Hamas took, in exchange for four to five pauses in fighting and three Palestinian prisoners for every civilian hostage released.
Under the agreement, Hamas would also gather up any additional women and children hostages during the period that fighting has paused. The temporary ceasefire would potentially be extended beyond that for more hostages to be released.
The hostages to be released will be of various nationalities.
It is understood that during the days the fighting is paused, Israel will stop flying surveillance drones over northern Gaza for at least six hours each day.
Diplomatic sources and government officials, including US President Joe Biden, have struck optimistic tones in recent days, suggesting a final agreement was imminent.
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