By Hamas Responds to Qatar Proposal on Israeli Hostage Swap
Hamas has responded to a Qatari proposed hostage-prisoner swap between the terrorist group and Israel.
In a statement, Hamas said it “dealt with the proposal in a positive spirit, ensuring a comprehensive and complete ceasefire, ending the aggression against our people, ensuring relief, shelter, and reconstruction, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and completing a prisoner exchange.”
The announcement was made on Feb. 6 by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Qatari capital of Doha. “I would like to inform the media that we have received a reply from Hamas with regards to the general framework of the agreement with regard to hostages,” said Al Thani. “The reply includes some comments, but in general, it is positive. However, given the sensitivity of the circumstances, we will not tackle details. We are optimistic, and we have delivered the response to the Israeli party,” he said.
Joe Biden on Feb. 6 said Hamas’ response appeared “a little over the top.” The administration will be reviewing it.
Qatar, a state sponsor of Hamas, has served as an intermediary between the terrorist group and the Jewish state. Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, resides in Qatar.
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