Qatar: Hamas with generally positive response to ceasefire proposal

Qatar's prime minister said on Tuesday that Hamas' reaction to the Palestinian group declared terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union over the latest plan for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages “generally was positive”.

He made these comments during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is staying in the Middle East.

Qatar, which has long been mediating with Hamas, has worked with the US and Egypt to reach a ceasefire agreement that would include a protracted fighting stop and the release of over 100 hostages still held by Hamas since the radical Palestinian group carried out the initial attack on October 7th in Israel, which sparked the war.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani gave no more details regarding Hamas' reaction, but said the Palestinian radical group “had comments”. Blinken confirmed that officials have accepted Hamas' response and said he will announce Israel's leaders when visiting this state on Wednesday.

Through a statement, Hamas said he has responded to “in a positive spirit” to the latest proposal made by American and Middle Eastern mediators. The radical group said it is still seeking a ceasefire “ -- all including and complete” to end “aggression to our people”. Israel has ruled out the possibility of a permanent truce that Hamas is seeking.

Blinken met earlier in the day with Egypt officials, meanwhile, on Monday, he stayed in Saudi Arabia.

His visit is taking place amid increasing concerns in Egypt over Israel's intentions to expand fighting in areas of Gaza bordering Egypt, where Palestinians displaced by fighting are sheltering.

Israel's Defence Ministry said Israel's eventual offensive will happen in Rafah, which borders Egypt.

During his visit, Blinken is aiming to achieve progress for a ceasefire agreement and potentially to normalise reports between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The latest ceasefire proposal envisions the release of more hostages in exchange for a week-long break in Israel's military operations.

Since the beginning of the war, over 27,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in this territory led by Hamas. This minister does not differentiate between fighters and civilians killed, but has said most of the victims were women and children.

Some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed during Hamas ' attack in southern Israel, and some 250 others were taken hostage.

Meanwhile, during a ceasefire in last November, Hamas freed hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. / REL