War between Israel and Hamas: Qatar assures that only “minor” obstacles remain before an agreement on hostages

A deal to release hostages kidnapped by Palestinian Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel is now based on “minor” practical issues, Qatar’s prime minister said Sunday, without giving a timetable.

“The issues that remain in the negotiations are very minor (…) They are more logistical, they are more practical,” Mohammed bin Abdelrahman Al-Thani said during a press conference in Doha along with the head of European Union diplomacy. , Josep Borrell.

Negotiations for the agreement have had “ups and downs” over the past few weeks. “I think I’m now more confident that we are close enough to reach an agreement that will allow these people (hostages) to return home safely,” he added.

Very actively involved in negotiations

The Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7 killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities. Israeli authorities estimate that about 240 people were taken hostage by the Palestinian Islamist movement that day.

In response, Israel vowed to “destroy” Hamas, which came to power in Gaza in 2007. Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip has since killed 12,300 people, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian government.

Qatar, where Hamas has a political office, was involved in mediation that led to the release in October of four hostages: an American woman and her daughter, and two Israeli women. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said he refuses any ceasefire until all hostages are released.