Qatari UN envoy to hostages' families: Deal is within reach

• Published date: 06 April 2024
• Author: HANNAH SARISOHN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The talks, which could begin as early as Sunday, would include Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and an Israeli delegation, Egypt's Al Qahera News reported on Saturday

Hamas said it would send a delegation headed by its Gaza deputy chief Khalil al-Hayya. Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Mossad chief David Barnea could also participate, according to media reports, although Israel has yet to make a final decision on whether to attend.

The talks come as tens of thousands demonstrated Saturday evening in dozens of locations throughout the country in protest against the government, demanding elections and a hostage-release deal.

According to the organizers, 100,000 people attended the Kaplan protest in Tel Aviv.

A rally in Jerusalem calling on leaders to secure a hostage release was set to take place on Sunday, which marks six months since the October 7 attack.

The talks come as Hamas has hardened its stance.

Hamas reiterated its demands issued in a March 14 proposal prior to a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that was passed on March 25.

It has insisted on a permanent ceasefire, an IDF withdrawal from Gaza, a return of displaced Palestinians, and a "serious" exchange deal of Palestinian security prisoners and terrorists for the hostages, it said.

US President Joe Biden and other American officials have appeared to blame Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of success in the talks for the former.

Biden, in a phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday, urged him to "empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay."

A senior Biden administration official said Biden wrote letters to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on the state of the hostage talks and "he urged them to secure commitments from Hamas to agree and abide by a deal."

The official underscored Hamas's responsibility for the lack of a deal.

Senior Biden official places blame on Hamas

"This basic fact remains true: There would be a ceasefire in Gaza today had Hamas simply agreed to release this vulnerable category of hostages – the sick, wounded, elderly, and young women," the senior Biden official said.

"The onus is on Hamas to release the hostages and bring relief to the people of Gaza through a prolonged ceasefire," the official said.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will meet...