By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL- On Monday, in a press briefing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave hope going forward that a hostage release deal could be imminent as he explained: “Very important, productive work has been done. And there is some real hope going forward.” Blinken was referring to the weekend meeting in Paris on Sunday, between top intelligence officials from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar as well as talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Blinken added that the proposal put forth for a hostage deal is a “good, strong proposal,” and that there is “good, strong alignment between countries.” Al Thani told the press that the proposal for a pause in fighting in exchange for hostage releases was sent to Hamas and that mediation efforts had been ongoing throughout the entire conflict between Israel and Hamas. He added that “good progress” was made with the talks, adding that all parties were “hoping to relay this proposal to Hamas and to get them to a place where they engage positively and constructively in the process.”
Meanwhile, Blinken who spoke to reporters at the White House on Monday reiterated: “The proposal is a strong one and a compelling one that offers some hope.” Al Thani said Hamas made a “clear demand” for a permanent ceasefire that Israel had outright rejected, adding that it’s possible it could lead to a permanent ceasefire in the future. Understandably, the situation has been tenuous and intense diplomacy has been the touchstone to achieve a final proposal. Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was involved in a spate of diplomacy as well as Turkiye spearheading a plan that has brought seriously injured Gazans to its country for medical treatment. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has come under intense scrutiny from Israelis as mass protests continue in Israel, demanding Netanyahu’s resignation. In prior weeks, the hostage families were adamant that Netanyahu and his government stop the war in Gaza to focus on getting hostages home. Israel estimates there are 132 hostages remaining in Gaza from the 250 that were abducted into Gaza on October 7 by Hamas. There are also at least 28 bodies of dead captives, Israel also reported. As Blinken concluded about the proposal: “Hamas will have to make its own decision. I can just tell you that there is good, strong alignment among the countries involved that this is a good, strong proposal.” Though a senior Hamas official said the group wants a “complete and comprehensive ceasefire,” officials from the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar are confident that the proposal could be one Hamas could live with.
Photo : AA
