The Qatari daily Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Tuesday on a meeting in Doha between a Hamas delegation and Qatari officials, held earlier this week as part of efforts to revive negotiations towards a hostage and ceasefire deal.
A source told the newspaper that the meeting was the result of an Egyptian-Qatari agreement coordinated with the US, aiming to formulate a "balanced" framework for renewing talks, based on areas of convergence from the most recent proposal.
Compromise formula
According to the report, Qatar proposed that Hamas review its comments on the plan and reopen discussions, in an effort to reach a compromise. The Hamas statement followed the meeting, according to sources. At the same time, reports indicated that Cairo had informed the parties of its willingness to host further rounds of talks between negotiation teams.
The terrorist organization issued a statement on Sunday welcoming the ongoing efforts by Qatar and Egypt to end the war, expressing its readiness to engage in immediate indirect negotiations.
However, major disagreements remain in the negotiations, particularly regarding the number of phases for the release of hostages and the guarantees Hamas is demanding for ending the war. The proposal submitted by the US, known as the "Witkoff framework," includes two hostage releases within a week. In contrast, Hamas has demanded three phases, one of which would take place on the 60th day, to pressure Israel to comply with the ceasefire.
Hamas is also demanding that negotiations for ending the war begin concurrently with the ceasefire. In contrast, the Witkoff framework calls for talks on broader arrangements.
Jihad Taha, a spokesperson for Hamas, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Palestinian terrorist organizations are working with mediators and other parties to achieve a ceasefire. Referring to Hamas' Sunday statement, he said the group is prepared for immediate negotiations on the points of contention in order to reach a comprehensive agreement that would include a full ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the delivery of aid.
