Only 'minor' challenges to prisoner swap deal: Qatar

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Nov 2023 14:39

The challenges in a prisoner swap deal are more logistical and practical than major hurdles, says Qatar's prime minister.

Qatar's Prime Minister and FM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaks during a joint press conference with his US counterpart in the capital Doha, on November 22, 2022. (AFP)

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, revealed, on Sunday, that a deal to free Israeli captives is facing "minor" practical issues.

"The challenges that remain in the negotiations are very minor compared to the bigger challenges, they are more logistical, they are more practical," Al Thani told a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

These challenges, he noted, are logistical and practical rather than major hurdles, expressing confidence that a deal is close.

"The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks," the premier said.

"I think that I'm now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal that can bring the people safely back to their homes," he added.

Qatar has played a role in mediating talks to free some of the Israeli captives, approximately 240 in total. The efforts have resulted in the release of four hostages so far.

The United States is seemingly working to facilitate a deal between "Israel" and Hamas, following reports of a tentative agreement, which the White House has denied. The negotiations aim to achieve a temporary cessation of hostilities, with the release of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons in exchange. However, "Israel" has maintained its stance of not agreeing to a ceasefire until all Israeli captives are released.

This is happening as families of Israeli captives continue to intensify pressure on the government to secure the release of the captives by holding protests. Thousands of demonstrators reached occupied al-Quds on Saturday following a five-day march from "Tel Aviv", urging the Israeli government to promptly release Israeli captives held in Gaza.

Concurrently, al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida stated that they have lost contact with certain groups entrusted with the well-being of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip due to the intense Israeli bombardment of the Strip.