Israeli media outlets, quoting high-ranking officials, reported that all proposals regarding Israeli detainees within a Qatari initiative ultimately lead to ending the war on Gaza. However, Hamas denied any discussion about such an initiative.
The media mentioned that the Security Cabinet would review efforts to retrieve the "hostages" despite significant gaps between the parties. The officials emphasized that Israel must now decide whether it is willing to agree to a deal that would lead to ending the war and withdrawing the military from Gaza.
The officials also indicated that the Qatari proposal does not significantly differ from previous ones and includes, in its first phase, a prisoner exchange on humanitarian grounds and ultimately the army's withdrawal from Gaza.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the American administration is intensifying its efforts to recover prisoners held by Hamas, continuing to work with both Qatar and Egypt in this endeavor.
During an interview with "MSNBC," Blinken added that efforts are also focused on renewing periods of calm and bringing negotiations on prisoners back on track.
Hamas Denies
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) denied proposing a Qatari initiative that includes the departure of the movement's leaders from Gaza.
Israeli Channel 13 discussed what it called Qatari proposals, stating one of its clauses involved the exit of Hamas leaders from the Strip, but without any official confirmation from Israel or Qatar.
Osama Hamdan, a Hamas leader in Beirut, responded, "There is no such initiative in principle."
Hamdan continued, "The people have not abandoned their land, so how could the resistance, which defends the people, leave? The idea of the resistance's departure and relinquishing their land is an illusion, and the concept of disarmament is naïve and does not reflect an understanding of the realities."
Hamdan considered the Hebrew media's discussion of this initiative as "deceit and misdirection to calm the enraged public, especially the families of prisoners who see their children killed by the occupation without (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu caring."
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are ongoing and facing challenges. The killing of a senior Hamas leader, Saleh al-Arouri, could impact them.
Egypt and Qatar, along with the United States, sponsor efforts to reach a second temporary truce in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7th, Hamas launched an attack on settlements around Gaza, resulting in around 1200 Israeli deaths, approximately 5431 injuries, and at least 239 captives, of which Hamas exchanged dozens with Israel during a temporary humanitarian ceasefire that lasted seven days and ended in early December.
According to Israeli media, the temporary truce at the end of November resulted in the release of 105 civilians detained by Hamas, including 81 Israelis, 23 Thai citizens, and one Filipino.
Palestinian prisoner organizations noted that Israel, under the temporary truce, released 240 Palestinian prisoners, 71 women, and 169 children from its prisons.
Israel estimates that about 137 "hostages" are still detained in the Gaza Strip, according to aligned media reports and statements by Israeli officials.
Since October 7th, the Israeli military has waged a destructive war on Gaza, causing over 23,000 deaths and around 60,000 injuries, mostly children and women, and immense destruction of infrastructure, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, according to Gaza authorities and the United Nations.
