News Desk - The Cradle
Tel Aviv says at least 224 prisoners of war are being held by the resistance factions in Gaza
"The Qatari authorities are now working to reach an agreement to free about 50 other people," unnamed sources told Sputnik on 26 October.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has said ongoing negotiations with Hamas are progressing.
"There is some progress and some breakthrough, and we remain hopeful," Thani said during a Qatari press conference in Doha on 25 October.
However, the prime minister and other officials present had mentioned that the looming Gaza ground invasion by Israel is doomed to sour the negotiation process.
"Obviously, a land incursion into Gaza would make it difficult to maintain the safety of the [captives], and in our efforts at mediation with both sides, we urge all parties in this conflict to de-escalate immediately," said foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also present at the press conference and said that a ground invasion into Gaza by Israel would turn the fighting into a "massacre."
Qatar has had open dialogue with the Palestinian factions and Israel to try and bring forth a ceasefire while the war between the two rages on.
Most recently, Qatar negotiated the release of two US citizens and two elderly settlers, whom Israel initially refused.
Israel estimates that Palestinian factions have over 200 captives, 22 of whom have already been killed due to Israeli airstrikes falling in line with the Israeli Hannibal doctrine.
In coordination with the US, the Gulf state will continue holding these negotiation talks in hopes of settling down the intensifying war in the Levant region.
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