Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
Qatari mediators are seeking to negotiate a deal between Israel and the Hamas Movement that includes the release of around 50 civilian hostages from the Gaza Strip in exchange for a three-day ceasefire, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters on November 15.
The unnamed official said that the proposed deal, which has been coordinated with the United States, would also see Israel release some Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails and increase the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza.
Hamas has agreed to the general outlines of this deal, but Israel has not and it is still negotiating the details, the official added.
Hamas continues to hold some 239 Israeli troops and civilians who were captured by its fighters during the October 7 surprise attack.
It is not known how many Palestinian women and children Israel would release from its jails as part of the agreement under discussion. At least 32 women and 160 children are said to be currently detained at Israeli Jails.
Hebrew media reported that Israel had rejected the deal proposed by Qatar and demanded the release of more that 50 civilian hostages.
Reuters’ report came just hours after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched an attack on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the latest of its ground operations in the Strip which began after the Hamas-led surprise attack. Thousands of civilians, including medical staff and patients, remain trapped there.
Israel alleges that the main military command center of Hamas is hidden under the hospital. However, many analysts believe that the IDF attack is meant to mount more pressure on Hamas as talks on hostages and a temporary ceasefire move forward.
Qatar, a key backer of Hamas, has been leading mediation between the Palestinian group and Israeli officials since the war first broke out.
Doha’s new efforts to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas comes following weeks of heavy bombardment of Gaza that has killed more than 11,200 people, two-thirds of whom were reportedly women and children.
