Hamas delivers 'positive' response on hostage deal, Qatari PM says
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said he was “optimistic” after receiving a formal response from the Palestinian militant group hours earlier.
![US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) meets with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, at Diwan Annex, in Doha on February 6, 2024, during his Middle East tour, his fifth urgent trip to the region since the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza erupted in October. (Photo by Mark Schiefelbein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2024-02/GettyImages-1983180725.jpg?h=3f4132b7&itok=9A4hzTI4)
WASHINGTON — Qatar has received a “positive” response from Hamas on a proposed framework for a hostage deal with Israel, the Qatari prime minister announced Tuesday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said he was “optimistic” after the Palestinian militant group provided its feedback on a proposal to release the remaining Gaza Strip hostages in exchange for a prolonged pause in the fighting.
“The reply includes some comments, but in general it is positive,” Al Thani told reporters in a press briefing alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Doha.
Qatar delivered Hamas’ response to Israel and hopes to see a finalized deal “very soon,” he said.