Hamas to be offered proposal for pause in fighting and release of hostages

The terrorist organisation Hamas will soon be presented with a proposal for a pause in fighting with Israel and the release of hostages, Qatar's prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced on Monday.

Qatar has been a regular mediator since the outbreak of the war between Hamas and Israel. On Monday, the country held talks with Israel, the US and Egypt. Al Thani told NBC news that "good progress" had been made in the negotiations.

He said he hoped the proposal will lead to a permanent ceasefire. Under the new deal, Hamas would release hostage women and children in exchange for emergency aid for Gaza's residents. Al Thani pointed out that Hamas has made a ceasefire a precondition for the release of the hostages. 

The parties were "hoping to relay this proposal to Hamas and to get them to a place where they engage positively and constructively in the process", said Al Thani.

^{Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (L) and US secretary of state Antony Blinken (R) on 29 January 2024 © Mandel NGAN / AFP}