Qatar says Hamas has not yet responded to Gaza truce plan | World News

Hamas Still to Give Response on Gaza Truce Plan, Says Qatar

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, revealed on Thursday that Hamas has not yet responded to a proposed plan for a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza and an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Despite ongoing mediation efforts, Hamas has not provided a definitive answer to the latest proposal.

The negotiations, involving Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, have been ongoing for months, with the aim of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. However, apart from a brief seven-day pause in November that resulted in the release of over 100 hostages, the conflict has persisted.

US President Joe Biden recently announced a new three-stage roadmap offered by Israel to restart talks. Egypt also reported receiving positive signals from Hamas regarding a potential deal with Israel.

Meetings between Hamas representatives, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel took place in Doha, but doubts were raised by senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan about the substance of the framework described by Biden.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also held discussions with Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, in Cairo on Thursday. The situation remains tense as Hamas continues to deliberate on the proposed ceasefire plan, leaving the region on edge awaiting their response.