Hamas on Monday freed two Israeli civilian women captives from the besieged enclave following the release of two hostages with dual U.S.-Israeli nationality on Friday.
Qatar is now discussing a larger release of civilians with Hamas and Israel, a fifth source told Reuters on Tuesday after being briefed on the negotiations.
The talks are not about any of the Israeli soldiers held by Hamas, the diplomats and regional source familiar with the talks said.
When its fighters stormed into Israel on Oct 7, "Hamas did not expect the operation would be as catastrophically successful as it was.
Qatar, which has ambitious foreign policy goals, has a direct line of communication with Hamas and Israel.
Persons:
Ammar Awad, Matthew Miller, Washington, Osama Hamdan, Israel, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Nidal, James Mackenzie, Edmund Blair, William Maclean, Nick Macfie
Organizations:
Hamas, REUTERS, quicken, U.S, Reuters, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, . State Department, Qatar apprised, Thomson
Locations:
Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israel, DOHA, Gulf, Palestinian, Qatar, In Washington, U.S, Jerusalem, Washington, Beirut