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☆ Qatar is suspending its role in talks between Israel and Hamas, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-09 | by ( Becky Anderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Qatar is suspending its role as a mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas after concluding that the two sides are no longer negotiating in good faith, two sources familiar with the situation tell CNN. Qatar, which has long hosted Hamas’ political office in Doha, has alongside Egypt served as an intermediary for the two sides, which do not officially maintain direct contact. During a temporary ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Egypt last November, Hamas released 105 hostages and Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners. “As a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose.”Hamas has insisted that any agreement with Israel must lead to a permanent end to the war in Gaza. In July he effectively spiked a draft hostage and ceasefire deal by introducing a raft of new, 11th-hour demands.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Omar Al, Nir Barkat, ” Netanyahu, –, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Biden, ”, “, ’ Organizations: CNN —, CNN, Qatari, Palestinian Ministry of Health, UN, Getty, Foreign, American, Qatar Locations: CNN — Qatar, Israel, Qatar, Doha, Egypt, Gaza, Israeli, AFP, Palestinian, Cairo

☆ US makes final ceasefire push before election but doubts progress will be made in Gaza before next US president is known
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CIA Director Bill Burns was in Cairo on Thursday for discussions on Gaza and Lebanon, including a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The US envoys also met Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant to discuss “security arrangements” related to northern Israel, Lebanon and the return of hostages from Gaza. That makes it likely the war in Gaza will continue shadowing the US contest in its final days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the opening of the 25th Parliament session in Jerusalem on October 28, 2024. The White House offered the same message; National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said purported drafts shared online do not reflect the current state of ceasefire talks.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Najib Mikati, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Bill Burns, Abdel Fattah El, Amos Hochstein, Brett McGurk, Hochstein, McGurk, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Kamala Harris ’, “, ” Harris, Debbie Hill, Harris, Burns, Yahya Sinwar, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Lebanon’s Mikati, Sean Savett, CNN’s Lauren Izso, Alex Marquardt, Mostafa Salem Organizations: CNN, American, CIA, White, “, University of Wisconsin -, Getty, Democratic, Hamas, Qatari, Hezbollah, White House, National Security Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, Cairo, Iran, Madison, University of Wisconsin - Madison, “, Jerusalem, AFP, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Doha, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, ” Israel

☆ U.S. and Israeli negotiators to travel to Doha with hopes of resuming Gaza ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Abigail-Williams-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Abigail Williams | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. and Israeli negotiators will travel to Doha in the coming days, the top diplomats for U.S. and Qatar said Thursday, intending to resume long-stalled talks to reach a ceasefire deal and secure the release of hostages in Gaza. The announcement comes after Israeli forces killed Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas, earlier this month and the militant group continues its search for a new leader. Among the options is an Egyptian proposal, as previously reported by NBC News, for a two-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of six hostages. Qatari Sheikh Mohammed said there are ongoing discussions between Egypt and Hamas even today and he “hopes the discussions will yield something positive” for the talks that follow. Speaking from Doha, Blinken said the U.S. had seen Israel take some positive steps but it is not enough to get assistance to the borders of Gaza.

Persons: Yahya Sinwar, Biden, Sinwar, Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, “, Sheikh Mohammed, Defense Lloyd Austin, Blinken, ” Organizations: U.S, Qatari Prime, NBC News, Defense, Israel, U.S . Locations: Doha, Qatar, Gaza, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, U.S, Egypt, Blinken, Israel

But during that time, Netanyahu was soliciting input from Trump, the Republican nominee. Trump claimed during a rally in Georgia that Netanyahu had called him at least twice in recent days. Trump’s allies also privately played up the Netanyahu-Trump phone calls as demonstrating that Netanyahu is seriously eyeing the possibility of a Trump victory. Still, the Biden administration is publicly signaling it hopes to advance efforts to bring the hostages home and to end a war that is threatening to tarnish Biden’s foreign policy legacy. Both Qatar and Egypt have reengaged with the group, which has not publicly named a new leader.

Persons: Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar, Netanyahu –, Biden, Antony Blinken, Netanyahu, Trump, “ Bibi, ” Trump, “ We’re, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, “, Bibi, ”, Harris, stoke, Trump’s, Netanyahu didn’t, Biden demurred, ’, ” Biden, ” Blinken, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Sinwar, Khalil al, Khaled Mashal, Mousa Abu Marzook, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Trump, Republican, Democrat, White House, Netanyahu, East, Arab, CIA, Qatari Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, Qatar, Doha, Washington , DC, Georgia, American, Washington, Michigan, Egypt

☆ Middle East on knife-edge after killing of Hamas leader in Iran; Israel's opponents vow retaliation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh attending an exclusive interview with Anadolu in Istanbul, Turkiye on April 20, 2024. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesThe Middle East is on edge after a dramatic escalation that saw top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in a strike in the Iranian capital of Tehran early Wednesday. Coming hours after the killing of Fuad Shukr in Beirut, the Middle East is on an absolute knife-edge now." Iran's leadership meanwhile has said that the alleged Israeli strike is grounds for "severe punishment" and that the country must "pay a heavy price." An all-out war between Israel and Iran — and Iran's proxies such as Hezbollah — would be devastating to all sides involved.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Charles Lister, Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's, Haniyeh, Hamas, Torbjorn, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Yahya Sinwar, Sinwar, Victor Tricaud, Tricaud, Antony Blinken, Will, Yoav Gallant, Iran's, Atta Kenare Organizations: Anadolu, Getty, Middle East Institute, Hezbollah, politburo, Verisk, Qatari, Foreign, CNBC, U.S . State Department, Israel, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, AFP Locations: Istanbul, Turkiye, Tehran, Israel, Washington, Doha, Beirut, Golan, Iranian, Lebanese, Gaza, Iran, Qatar, Singapore, Palestine Square

☆ 80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Eighty countries jointly called Sunday for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in. Brazil, an "observer" country, did not sign on but Turkey — which has sought to an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine — did. The final document said the U.N. Charter and "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty … can and will serve as a basis for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the "first steps toward peace" at the meeting, and said the joint communique remains "open for accession by everyone who respects the U.N. "We all at this table need to do more so that children of Ukraine are back in Ukraine," he added.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Kamala Harris, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, —, Ukraine —, Viola Amherd, Ursula von der Leyen, Putin, Giorgia Meloni, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, it's, Maria Lvova, Belova, Milojko Spajic, I'm Organizations: United, United Arab Emirates, Union's, Analysts, White House, Children's Locations: States, United States, Ukraine, Stansstad, Lucerne, Switzerland, Swiss, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab, Brazil, Turkey, ., China, Gaza, Kyiv, Moscow, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Qatar, Europe, Montenegro

Even as the Biden administration renewed its push for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel threatened “very intense”military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. “Whoever thinks he can hurt us and we will respond by sitting on our hands is making a big mistake,” he said, according to the Israeli government. “We are prepared for very intense action in the north.”Against the backdrop of escalating tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border, the C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, met on Wednesday with top Qatari and Egyptian officials in the latest effort to broker a deal to end the fighting in Gaza and free the hostages taken captive during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7. Mr. Burns met in Doha with the Qatari prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the chief of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, according to an official briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door encounter.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, ”, William J, Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel Organizations: Qatari, Egypt’s General Intelligence Service Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, ”, Doha, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

CNN —Hamas says it has accepted a ceasefire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar which seeks to halt the seven-month war with Israel in Gaza. It’s unclear whether Hamas has agreed to the most recent ceasefire proposal, as outlined last week, or a revised version of it. Palestinians in Rafah celebrate news that Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal, May 6, 2024. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled to Rafah, where Hamas is believed to have regrouped after Israel’s destruction of much of the north of Gaza. IDF operations ongoingAsked whether Hamas’ acceptance of a deal could change Israel’s plans for Rafah, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military would continue to operate in Gaza.

Persons: Ismail Haniyeh, William Burns, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Matthew Miller, “, ”, Daniel Hagari, ” Netanyahu, ” Itamar Ben Gvir, Netanyahu, ” Benny Gantz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, CIA, Qatari, Getty, Israel Defense Forces, Families Forum Locations: Egypt, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Doha, Qatar’s, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, United States, Deir al, Gaza City, Rafah, AFP, Orit, Tel Aviv

☆ Middle East Crisis Israeli Military Warns Thousands in Rafah to Evacuate
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Vivek Shankar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

“We were very close, but Netanyahu’s narrow-mindedness aborted an agreement,” Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, said in a phone interview. The Israeli official said that Israel had sought a written response to its latest proposal from Hamas before dispatching a delegation, but that the group never conveyed one. Mr. Abu Marzouk was the only one of the officials who spoke about the talks to allow the use of his name. Hamas, Mr. Abu Marzouk said, thought that Mr. Netanyahu wanted an agreement that would permit Israel to invade Rafah after its hostages are released. A report in Al-Qahera News, an Egyptian state-owned television channel, said that a Hamas delegation would return to Cairo on Tuesday, but the senior Hamas official said that the group hadn’t made a decision yet.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Mousa Abu Marzouk, Biden, won’t, ”, Abu Marzouk, Mr, Bill Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Peter Baker, Michael Crowley Organizations: Hamas, Sunday, Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari, Qahera Locations: Gaza, Israel, Cairo, Rafah, Kerem, United States, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Doha, Al

☆ Qatar re-evaluates key mediator role in Middle East conflict on concerns of ‘political exploitation’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is greeted by Qatari officials upon his arrival in Doha, Qatar, Friday Oct. 13, 2023. Qatar is reconsidering its role as cease-fire broker between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Gulf state's prime minister said, expressing concerns that Doha's mediation has been subject to "political exploitation." In a late-Wednesday statement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "lamented the political exploitation by some politicians with narrow interests, marketing their electoral campaigns through the defamation of Qatar's role." Since October, the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip has been ravaged by a retaliatory war campaign carried out by Israel. "Hamas has also sought to use its intermediary Qatar – which has long helped finance, back, and house the terrorist organization – to exact greater concessions from Israel.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Steny Hoyer, Hoyer Organizations: Hamas, Gulf state's Locations: Doha, Qatar, Israel, Palestinian, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Maryland, Hamas, Gaza

☆ Why Qatar is unlikely to withdraw from the Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Qatar hosts Hamas’ political office, but it is also home to a 10,000-troop US military base. Experts say it is unlikely Qatar will end its mediation role. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gives a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday. And on Monday, Democratic US Congressman Steny Hoyer accused Qatar of “blocking” progress in the talks. The Gulf state was also a Major Non-NATO Ally, as well as key energy supplier to Western states.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ” Al Thani, “, ”, Anna Jacobs, “ They’ve, ” Jacobs, Daniel Shek, ” Shek, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Karim Jaafar, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Majid Al Ansari, Netanyahu, James Comer, General Merrick Garland, Steny Hoyer, Jacobs, Joe Biden, NATO Ally Organizations: UAE CNN, Foreign, United States Congress, US, Qatar, Group, CNN, ”, Qatar's, Turkish, Wednesday, Qatari, Hamas, Washington DC, Democratic, Al Udeid, Al Udeid Air Base, NATO Locations: Abu Dhabi, UAE, Israel, Qatar, Doha, United States, Washington, Egypt, Gaza, Gulf, Brussels, Israeli, ” Qatar, Thani, AFP, Qatari, Al Udeid Air

☆ Qatar PM Says Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations 'Not Very Promising' in Recent Days
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MUNICH (Reuters) - Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Saturday the pattern of negotiations for a framework ceasefire deal for the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was "not very promising" in recent days. "The pattern in the last few days are not really very promising but, as I always repeat, we will always remain optimistic and will always remain pushing," Sheikh Mohammed said at the Munich Security Conference. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images"I believe in this agreement we are talking at a bigger scale and we still see some difficulties on the humanitarian part of these negotiations," he said. He added that he thought that if negotiations on the humanitarian element of any deal progressed then the obstacle over the numbers of those released would be ultimately tackled. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesTalks involving officials from Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the United States have so far not yielded a deal for a pause in the fighting.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed, Maha El Dahan, Hatem Maher, Frances Kerry Organizations: Qatar's, Munich Security, Hamas Locations: MUNICH, Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Egypt, United States

CNN has obtained a copy of the Hamas response and senior Hamas official Muhammad Nazzal confirmed it was genuine. The Hamas response has been met with optimism by some of the parties involved but one Israeli official said Wednesday there was “no way” his country would accept it. The second phase, Hamas has proposed, would see the conclusion of talks on a mutual cessation of hostilities. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, which is mediating, said Tuesday Hamas’ response to Israel’s proposal was “positive.”“The reply includes some comments, but in general it is positive. “We are optimistic, and we have delivered the response to the Israeli party.”Separately, a source familiar with the discussions told CNN that Hamas’ response was “reasonable.”It’s unclear if the two were referring to the counterproposal CNN has seen.

Persons: Israel –, hasn’t, Muhammad Nazzal, Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas ’ counterproposal, aren’t, ”, ’ counterproposal, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, ” Al Thani, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Palestinian, ”, Hamas, United Nations, Qatari, Doha Locations: Gaza, Israel, Paris, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Russia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

☆ Hamas has replied to Gaza hostage proposal
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Michael Conte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Hamas has replied to a proposal aimed at the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and a sustained cessation in fighting, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday. “We are optimistic, and we have delivered the response to the Israeli party,” he said. The United States is reviewing the response from Hamas “now,” Blinken said. And we will continue to work relentlessly to achieve it,” he said at the news conference. Blinken will meet with senior members of the Israeli government on Wednesday.

Persons: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Antony Blinken, “, ”, ” Al Thani, ” Blinken, “ I’ll, Blinken Organizations: CNN, Qatari, Blinken Locations: Gaza, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Doha, United States, Israel

☆ US Says Algeria Push for UN Ceasefire Resolution Could Hurt Gaza Talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Friday that Algeria's draft Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire could jeopardize "sensitive negotiations" aimed at brokering a pause in Israel's war. It would demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. It was not immediately clear if or when Algeria could put the draft resolution to a vote. The Gaza war began when fighters from the Hamas militant group that runs Gaza attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. To be adopted, U.N. Security Council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, China or Russia.

Persons: Michelle Nichols UNITED, United Nations Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Thomas, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, Israel, Michelle Nichols, Paul Grant, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, United Nations, Qatar's, U.N, Security Locations: Gaza, Algeria, Israel, United States, Egypt, Qatar, New York, U.S, Washington, U.N, Britain, France, China, Russia

The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli forces opened fire inside the wards of the Ibn Sina Hospital in the town of Jenin. Most were killed in confrontations with Israeli forces during arrest raids or violent protests. The Israeli military says it has arrested nearly 3,000 Palestinians in the West Bank over the past four months. The military said Tuesday that forces killed Mohammed Jalamneh, 27, who it said was planning an imminent attack. Hospital spokesperson Tawfiq al-Shobaki said there was no exchange of fire and the three were killed by Israeli forces in a targeted killing.

Persons: Ibn, Mohammed Jalamneh, Basel, Mohammed Ghazawi, Jalamneh, Tawfiq, Shobaki, ”, Basel Ghazawi, Israel, Osama Hamdan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ___ Lidman Organizations: West Bank, —, Palestinian Health Ministry, Ibn Sina, Muslim, Israel, Health Ministry, Hamas, United Nations, Basel, hemiplegia, Palestinian Authority, Gaza, Atlantic Council, Palestinian Locations: JENIN, West, Gaza, Jenin, Israel, Jerusalem, Egypt, Qatar, United States, Beirut, Washington, Gaza City, israel

☆ Gaza Ceasefire Plan for Hostage Release Awaits Hamas Response
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +7 min

"We don't know and we cannot predict what Hamas' response will be," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's prime minister, said on Monday. Hamas told Reuters in a statement on Tuesday the proposal would involve three stages, including the release of hostages held by the group and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. "After that, the Hamas leadership will meet to discuss the paper and express its final opinion on it," the statement said. More than 100 Israeli hostages are still held, following the release of a similar number in an earlier truce in November that involved the release of scores of Palestinian prisoners. The Hamas statement said the second phase would also involve the release of male military recruits.

Persons: Jonathan Landay, Maya Gebeily, Andrew Mills, Nidal, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed, Jordan, Ismail Haniyeh, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Islamic Jihad, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Dan Williams, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Michael Georgy, William Maclean Organizations: Reuters, Palestinian, U.S, Paris, Islamic, Hamas, Washington's Atlantic Council, Israeli Defense Forces Locations: Mughrabi WASHINGTON, BEIRUT, DOHA, Gaza, Israel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Paris, Qatar, Egypt, U.S, France, Cairo

The dispute engulfing the biggest provider of vital aid to Palestinians came as U.S. officials said negotiators were closing in on a cease-fire agreement. The emerging deal also calls for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. The top United Nations court has asked Israel for a compliance report in a month, placing added scrutiny on Israel's military. The case brought by South Africa to the U.N. court alleged Israel is committing genocide, which Israel vehemently denies. The court also ordered Israel to urgently get aid to Gaza.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, ” Guterres, ”, Philippe Lazzarini, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Israel, Khan Younis, Nasser, ___ Shurafa, Madhani, Matthew Lee, Zeke Miller Organizations: United Nations, UNRWA, Biden, CIA, Qatari, International Court of Justice, World Health Organization, MSF Locations: RAFAH, Gaza, Israel, United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, ISRAEL, South Africa, Khan, Deir, Washington, israel

☆ Israeli PM's Office Says 'Gaps' Remain After Meeting on Hostage Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Talks held on Sunday initiated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt to broker a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas were "constructive" but meaningful gaps remain, the Israeli prime minister's office said. "There are still significant gaps in which the parties will continue to discuss this week in additional mutual meetings," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns and the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamel, the statement said. Some 1,200 people were killed and 253 abducted, according to Israeli officials. The U.S. and Israeli intelligence chiefs have previously met with Qatari and Egyptian officials, helping to broker a short-lived truce in November that saw more than 100 hostages freed.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, William Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden's, Emily RoseEditing, Jane Merriman, Frances Kerry Organizations: . Central Intelligence Agency, Qatari Prime, Hamas Locations: JERUSALEM, Qatar, United States, Egypt, Israel, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Europe, Gaza, U.S

In the first phase, fighting would stop to allow for the remaining women, elderly and wounded hostages to be released by Hamas. Netanyahu has faced increasing pressure from the families of many hostages who are demanding a deal to win their loved ones’ release. The Oct. 7 attack killed some 1,200 people in Israel, and Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 people. Around 100 hostages were freed under a weeklong cease-fire deal in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas has said it will free more captives only in exchange for an end to the war and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

Persons: Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al, “, ” Burns, Brett McGurk, Burns, Biden, McGurk, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ___ Miller Organizations: WASHINGTON, — U.S, New York Times, Qatari, White, Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, France, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Thani, Columbia , South Carolina

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. The meeting will focus on the release of hostages in exchange for a pause in hostilities. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe CIA and the White House National Security Council declined to comment on the meeting. Some 1,200 people were killed and Hamas and other militants abducted around 250 people during their Oct. 7 rampage in southern Israel. Around 100 hostages were freed under a weeklong cease-fire deal in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, John Kirby, Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al, ” Kirby, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Abbas Kamel, Burns, Brett McGurk, McGurk, Antony Blinken Organizations: WASHINGTON, Qatari, Gaza . U.S . National Security, CIA, U.S, White House National Security, White House Locations: Israel, Gaza . U.S, Thani, Europe, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Gaza

CNN —Efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and broker a prolonged pause in fighting are at an important juncture as President Joe Biden deploys his point person on hostage talks to Europe for multiparty talks on the contours of a possible agreement. He said on Friday, Biden had spoken to Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as well as Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss ongoing hostage talks. “We continue to do everything we can to facilitate another hostage deal just like we did back in November,” Kirby said. Each stage would come with a pause in fighting and the delivery of aid to the North and South of Gaza. The White House on Thursday reiterated its gratitude for Qatar — which has acted as a key mediator in hostage talks — in response to the leaked recording.

Persons: Joe Biden, Bill Burns, David Barnea, Abbas Kamel, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Burns, Barnea, John Kirby, “, ” Kirby, Biden, Abdel Fatah al, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Al Thani, Kirby, Brett McGurk, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, Betsy Klein, Katie Bo Lillis Organizations: CNN, CIA, White House, Qatari, White, National Security, Hamas, Biden, Qatar Locations: Gaza, Europe, Israel, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, France, Washington, Qatar, Egypt, South, Palestinian, Gulf

☆ Israel’s spy chief proposed letting Hamas leaders leave Gaza as part of broader ceasefire talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Israel has proposed that Hamas senior leaders could leave Gaza as part of a broader ceasefire agreement, two officials familiar with the ongoing international discussions told CNN. Senior Hamas officials are known to live in Doha, Qatar, and the Lebanese capital Beirut, among other places outside the Palestinian territories. That, combined with the “enormous pressure” on Netanyahu and his government to bring hostages home, Miller said, has created a situation where Israel would be willing to propose having Hamas leaders leave Gaza. While it’s unclear whether in private discussions Israel has named which Hamas leaders they would hope to leave Gaza, there is no bigger target than Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ top official in Gaza. Israel vows to hunt Hamas globallyIsrael has made no secret of its intention to continue hunting Hamas leaders long after the war is over.

Persons: CNN —, —, David Barnea, Antony Blinken, Brett McGurk, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Aaron David Miller, Netanyahu, Miller, Jack Guez, Biden, Barnea, Bill Burns, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Blinken, David Barnea Gil Cohen, al, Yahya Sinwar, ” Netanyahu, Sinwar, Khan Younis, Mohammed Deif, Deif’s, Marwan Issa, Sinwar’s, Mohammed, Yahya Sinwar Mahmud Hams, Ofer Shelah, ” Shelah, we’ve, Shin Bet, ” Bar, Kan, ” Miller, “ Weeks Organizations: CNN, Hamas, US, Carnegie Endowment, International, Getty, Gaza Health Ministry, US CIA, Qatari, Magen, US State Department, CIA, Prime Minister’s, Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, Doha, Qatar, Beirut, Palestinian, Warsaw, Egypt, Israeli, AFP, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, al Thani, Sinwar, Hamas, Lebanon, Turkey

The move comes as the Houthis have launched dozens of attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. In its waning days, the Trump administration designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization over the strong objections of human rights and humanitarian aid groups. Yemen, on the tip of the Arabian Peninsula bordering the Red Sea, is the poorest country in the Arab world. While supporters of broad sanctions argue it’s possible to shape any enforcement mechanisms so to exempt food and humanitarian aid, aid organizations worry that fears of running afoul of U.S. regulation could scare away shippers, banks and other players vital to Yemen’s commercial food supply. The Red Sea attacks have already caused significant disruptions to global trade.

Persons: —, Biden, Antony Blinken, Trump, Blinken, ”, Scott Paul, “, Yemen’s Houthi, Jake Sullivan, Linda Thomas Greenfield, Brent, Houthis, Sullivan, Joe Biden's, ” Sullivan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Al Thani, Mohammed Shia, Masrour Barzani, Jon Gambrell, Edith M, Lederer, Ellen Knickmeyer Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, U.S, Nations, Oxfam America, White House, House, Economic, British, United Nations, Consulate, Islamic, Tuesday, ___ Associated Press Locations: Yemen, Red, Gaza, Israel, Yemenis, U.S, Davos, Switzerland, Iran, Malta, Tehran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al, Qatar, Kurdish, House, Irbil, ___, Jerusalem, Washington

☆ How Qatar swayed Israel and Hamas to make a truce work
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

It was necessary to clarify all the points in the agreement and make sure they meant the same thing to Israel and Hamas, a source briefed on the negotiations said. Qatar's foreign ministry told reporters that Hamas and Israel negotiated in Doha until "the early morning" of Nov. 23 and agreed on a plan to implement the truce deal the next day. Qatari negotiators shepherded Israel and Hamas to agree on exactly where in Gaza Israeli tanks would be stationed during the truce. Israel vets all financial transfers Qatar makes to Palestinians in Gaza, Qatari sources have said. Despite proximity to Hamas officials, Qatari negotiators did not speak directly to the group's leaders in Gaza, but through its representatives based in Doha.

Persons: Qatar’s, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Imad Creidi, Qatar's, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Sheikh Mohammed, David Barnea, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, shepherded Israel, Al Shifa, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Joe Biden, Sheikh Tamim, Mehran Kamrava, We've, Al Sulaiti, I've, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Matt S, Dan Williams, David Gauthier, Frank Jack Daniel Organizations: Hamas, National Command Centre, REUTERS, Rights DOHA, Qatari, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S . Department of State, U.S, Gaza, Bild, Palestinian, Georgetown University, Thomson Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Doha, Qatar, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Gaza, Moscow, London, Hamas, U.S, Russia, Gulf, Berlin, Syria, Qatari, Cairo, Washington, Jerusalem

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