DOHA: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Hamas militants’ leaders have responded to a proposed hostage deal that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip.
He said the United States is studying their response intensely and will discuss it Wednesday in Israel.
During a press conference in Doha, Blinken told reporters that Hamas’ response to the proposal has been shared with Israel.
In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden described the response from the militant group as “a little over the top” and said the negotiation is continuing.
In Doha, Blinken said, “We will be working as hard as we possibly can to try to get an agreement so that we can move forward with not only a renewed but an expanded agreement on hostages and all the benefits that would bring with it.”
The top U.S. diplomat held talks Tuesday with Egyptian and Qatari leaders amid a push for a new temporary cease-fire in Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar helped craft the cease-fire proposal that is currently under consideration, which would include a pause in fighting lasting several weeks and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Blinken held talks with Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Al-Thani told reporters through a translator, “We have received a reply from Hamas with regards to the general framework of the agreement, with regards to hostages. The reply includes some comments, but in general, it is positive.”
The Qatari prime minister expressed optimism and said he hopes it will yield results on the hostage release in exchange for an extended cease-fire deal “very soon,” but declined to elaborate on the details due to its sensitivity.
(VOA)
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