Qatar Leads Negotiations for Hamas Prisoner Exchange with Palestinian Detainees

A source told "Reuters" that Qatari mediators have made urgent contacts with leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to negotiate the release of Israeli women and children held by the group in Gaza in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. The source, familiar with the talks, stated that the negotiations being conducted by Qatar in coordination with the United States since Saturday evening "are progressing positively." However, there are no signs of a breakthrough amid stubbornness from both sides. The source noted that Qatar is in contact with Hamas leaders in Doha and Gaza. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told Reuters, "We are in continuous contact with all parties at the moment. Our priorities are to stop the bloodshed, release the prisoners, and ensure the containment of the conflict before it expands in the region," without providing further details. Reuters also reported that two Egyptian security sources indicated that Egypt is currently conducting close communications with Israel and Hamas to prevent further escalation of fighting between the two sides and to ensure the protection of Israeli hostages. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that Egypt urged Israel to exercise restraint and called on Hamas to keep the hostages in good condition to maintain the possibility of a ceasefire soon, although Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have complicated mediation efforts. An Israeli official merely stated, "There are no negotiations ongoing."