Qatar is working to coax Hamas to release the women, children and elderly hostages that the terror group is currently holding in Gaza after taking them captive during last week’s onslaught in southern Israel, a diplomatic official tells The Times of Israel.
Hamas — being represented in the talks by its leader abroad Ismail Haniyeh — initially told Qatar that it was prepared to return those hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 36 female and teenage Palestinian security prisoners currently in Israeli prisons, the diplomatic source says, adding that the offer was not entertained by Israel, which is primarily focused on advancing its military campaign to eradicate Hamas.
Despite the Israeli rejection, Qatar-brokered talks are ongoing, the diplomatic official says.
A second source familiar with the negotiations tells The Times of Israel that some in Hamas recognize that taking women, children and elderly people hostage has given Israel more international legitimacy to massively expand its military campaign against the terror group.
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
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