Doha, Qatar

Israel-Hamas war: A delegation of the militant group Hamas met with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha on Wednesday (Sep 11) to hold talks about a potential hostage and prisoner exchange.

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The Palestinian group in a statement said that its lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya met with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. 

Also read | Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas militants hit UN school, homes in Gaza; 34 killed

What was discussed?

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As per the Hamas, they had discussed "developments concerning the Palestinian cause and the aggression on the Gaza Strip". However, the Palestinian group did not reveal whether any headway was achieved because of the talks.

However, the statement reiterated the group's "readiness for the immediate implementation of the ceasefire agreement based on President Biden's declaration".

In the statement, Hamas also reiterated its demand for Israel's withdrawal from "all Gaza territories".

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The Palestinian militant group also claimed it had not placed any further demands on negotiators and said that it was "rejecting any new conditions to this agreement from any party".

Negotiations ongoing

In May, US President Joe Biden, at mediations held in Cairo and Doha, laid out a framework to the parties involved in the negotiations. More recently, in August, the US President presented a "bridging proposal".

For months now, the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations. However, except for a one-week truce beginning in late November last year, they have failed to secure a halt to the war between Hamas and Israel that will on Oct 7 complete one year.

Also read | European Union warns Israeli-occupied West Bank becoming 'new Gaza'

Calls for a deal have intensified after Israeli authorities at the beginning of September announced the discovery of the bodies of six hostages, killed execution style, just before the IDF forces reached their location in Hamas tunnels in Gaza.

 

However, as per AFP, even in the face of external pressure for an agreement, both Hamas and Israel continue to dig in their heels and are refusing to budge on their demands.

While Hamas is demanding Israel's exit from all of Gaza, Israel is seeking control of the so-called Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Doubling down on the demand, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that the control was essential to stop the Hamas from rearming. This is despite both Egypt and Qatar last week rejected the charge that the border was used to arm the Hamas. 

(With inputs from agencies)