2024-01-17 02:03:45
1/16/2024-|Last update: 1/17/202404:52 AM (Mecca time)
The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced the success of the mediation of the State of Qatar, in cooperation with France, in reaching an agreement between Hamas and Israel, which includes the entry of medicines and a shipment of humanitarian aid to civilians in the Gaza Strip, especially to the most affected and damaged areas, in exchange for the delivery of medicines needed by Israeli detainees in the Strip.
Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari explained in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that medicines and aid will be sent tomorrow, Wednesday, to the Egyptian city of Al-Arish on board two planes belonging to the Qatari Armed Forces, in preparation for transporting them to the Gaza Strip.
Al-Ansari stressed the continuation of efforts with regional and international partners during the next phase, especially in the humanitarian aspects and medical evacuation within the framework of Qatari efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the Israeli Prime Minister confirmed the start of transferring medicines to Israeli detainees in Gaza, starting Wednesday.
American welcome
US National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, in a special statement to Al Jazeera, that the United States welcomes the State of Qatar’s announcement of reaching an agreement to deliver medicines in the coming days to the “hostages” held by Hamas in Gaza.
Watson added that her country will continue to make every effort to ensure the release of the “hostages” and their reunification with their families, and noted that Washington remains “the leader in the field of humanitarian aid” to the people of Gaza, as she put it, and that it is working to continue these efforts and expand their scope.
In turn, Strategic Communications Coordinator at the US National Security Council, John Kirby, said that American officials are holding serious discussions in Qatar in order to reach another agreement to release the “hostages” and that Washington hopes that it will bear fruit soon.
Ongoing discussions
The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said that the situation in the world is becoming more difficult and that the situation in Palestine is “sensitive.”
He added, during his participation in the Davos Forum, that it must be addressed how to end the war as quickly as possible and how to release “hostages” and Palestinian prisoners.
In the same regard, the White House said that US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk focused during his talks in Qatar on the release of American “hostages” held in Gaza.
The White House also said that US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed, in a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, efforts to release all remaining “hostages” held by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), including American citizens.
Sullivan said during the Davos Forum that Israel must respect international laws during its military operations in Gaza.
He added that Washington’s vision for the day following the war in Gaza includes regional normalization, ensuring Israel’s security, and establishing a state for the Palestinians.
Source: Al Jazeera + Qatar News Agency (QNA)
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