Hamas’s Positive Response to Prisoner Exchange and Ceasefire Puts Spotlight on Israel
Efforts continue to reach a ceasefire amid ongoing clashes between Israel and Hamas. On October 7, it was reported that Hamas responded “positively” to the prisoner exchange and ceasefire offer “framework agreement”.
In a written statement from Hamas, it was mentioned that they have conveyed their response regarding the framework agreement to their Egyptian and Qatari counterparts. The statement emphasized that Hamas welcomed the offer as it would ensure a full and comprehensive ceasefire, end the attacks against their people, lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip, guarantee reconstruction, and complete the prisoner exchange process.
The initiatives of Qatar and Egypt, as well as other countries that are working towards stopping Israel’s attacks on Gaza, were also appreciated in the statement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani made statements on the issue at a joint press conference in Doha. Al Thani announced that Hamas responded positively to the offer, and Sani reported Hamas’s response to Tel Aviv. Blinken stated that they are reviewing Hamas’s response and that they will meet with the Israeli government to discuss on Wednesday.
Qatar Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani also mentioned that negotiations were held in Paris, the capital of France, with officials from the USA, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar regarding a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange in Gaza. White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby also stated that concrete progress was made in the Paris meeting, especially on the issue of the prisoner exchange.
Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Heniyye announced that they received an invitation to visit Cairo to discuss the “framework agreement” resulting from the Paris meeting, emphasizing that their response will be based on stopping the aggression against Gaza and withdrawing Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
