Qatar says no breakthroughs in Gaza negotiations
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A spokesperson of the Qatari Foreign Ministry says that Doha remains "optimistic" about reaching an agreement.
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Spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry Majed al-Ansari speaking to reporters during a conference in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, May 09, 2023 (Qatari Foreign Ministry)
The spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed al-Ansari, revealed on Tuesday that there is no progress on an agreement regarding an indirect prisoner-captive exchange between the Israeli occupation and the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.
In a press conference, Majed al-Ansari said that "there is no breakthrough that can be announced," emphasizing, however, that Doha is "optimistic" about the mediation talks.
According to him, Qatar is "pressing hard" for the agreement proposed in Paris.
Read more: Hamdan to captives' families: Netanyahu obstructing exchange deal
Earlier today, US President Joe Biden expressed hope for a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza to be reached by next Monday, noting that it "could help towards a two-state solution and normalization with Saudi Arabia."
But the spokesperson pointed out that "it is not possible to comment" on Biden's remarks.
An excuse to invade Rafah
Earlier today, a senior source close to the Paris talks in Paris allegedly informed Reuters that Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas received a draft of a proposed agreement.
According to the news agency, the terms include a 40-day cessation of all "military operations" and the exchange of Palestinian detainees for Israeli captives at a ratio of 10 to 1. Additionally, hospitals and bakeries in Gaza would be repaired, 500 aid trucks would be allowed entrance into the strip each day,, and thousands of tents and caravans would be provided to house displaced Palestinians.
The draft also mentions that "Israel" would free around 400 Palestinians they have detained on the condition that they be not again detained and in turn, Hamas would release 40 Israeli captives, the sources added.
Responding to the report, Ahmad Abdul Hadi, Hamas' representative in Lebanon, informed Al Mayadeen on Tuesday that Reuters' leaks are part of the psychological warfare that fits the narrative and notions the US is attempting to perpetuate.
He noted that the Resistance is not satisfied with the proposal, adding that it would not compromise on any of its demands, particularly "on a ceasefire and reaching an honorable, serious deal".
Abdul Hadi then affirmed that the Resistance intends to reach a deal that guarantees its people's demands, as Palestinians have sacrificed a great deal, stressing that "Israel will not gain through mediation what it was unable to achieve on the battlefield."
He revealed that the leaked terms were indeed part of the Paris negotiations but were purely the US and "Israel's" suggestions, who are now attempting to give the public an illusion that Hamas approved of them and reiterated that "everything being shared is not serious, but a ploy to maneuver and press on the Resistance."
Read more: 'Israel' weaving irrelevant narrative about talks: Hamas official
"We are open to any ideas posed by mediators, but are also keen on preserving our key demands," Abdul Hadi told Al Mayadeen, highlighting how the Israeli occupation is "seeking to hold Hamas accountable for any later failures in talks, planning to use this as an excuse to pave the way for the invasion of Rafah."
