INSIGHT | Qatar hostage mediators press Hamas on civilian releases - diplomats, sources
Family, friends and community members call for the release of their loved ones, who are part of more than 200 hostages captured by HamasÃ? after their unprecedented assault on communities near Gaza, during a peaceful demonstration outside the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.Qatar is urging Hamas to release more hostages currently held in Gaza without expecting Israeli concessions.
Hamas on Monday freed two Israeli civilian women captives from the besieged enclave following the release of two hostages with dual US-Israeli nationality on Friday.Qatar is now discussing a larger release of civilians with Hamas and Israel, a fifth source told Reuters on Tuesday after being briefed on the negotiations. The source said the talks were progressing.
Some 222 people aged from 9 months to 85 years were seized on 7 October when Hamas and other militants went on a killing spree through southern Israel, shooting motorists, hunting down civilians including children in their own homes, and burning and stabbing people to death, according to survivors' accounts.
Keeping track of the captives, held by several groups in various locations, makes this task even more onerous, three of the sources said. Qatar has also argued to Hamas that a large civilian release could reap diplomatic benefits by showing the group, seen as a terrorist organization by many Western countries, as sensitive to international humanitarian concerns over the captivity of children and other non-combatants, two of the sources said.A Hamas representative in Qatar did not respond to a request for comment. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Qatar, which has ambitious foreign policy goals, has a direct line of communication with Hamas and Israel. It has previously helped mediate truces between the two.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
EFF accuses SA government of cowardice over Israel-Hamas conflict - SABC NewsThe EFF have been consistent in the their call for the closure of the Israel embassy.
Read more »
Hamas Says All Hospitals in Gaza Strip Run Out of FuelSouth Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »
When EFF governs SA, we'll 'arm Hamas to fight for their freedom'The EFF demonstrated in solidarity with Palestine amid a bloody conflict with the state of Israel in Gaza.
Read more »
WATCH: ‘Shoot to kill’- Malema compares Hamas to Mandela and TamboThe Jewish Board of Deputies slammed Malema, claiming his comments
Read more »
How are cybercriminals targeting the Israeli-Hamas conflict for scams?Exploitative campaign during Israeli-Hamas conflict: Scammers deceive people into making donations, preying on their willingness to help.
Read more »
Hamas cannot be treated as a legitimate party: Tzipi Livni - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports,Hamas cannot be treated as a legitimate party that represent Palestinians.
Read more »