Latest news with #hostageNegotiations
LBCI
21-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Israel recalls senior Gaza hostage negotiators, leaves team in Doha
Israel on Tuesday said it was recalling its senior Gaza hostage negotiators from Doha "for consultation," days after launching an intensified campaign in the Palestinian territory. "After about a week of intensive contacts in Doha, the senior negotiation team will return to Israel for consultation, while working levels will remain in Doha for the time being," reads a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, accusing Hamas of refusing to accept a deal. AFP
Al Bawaba
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Last Update: Baghdad hosts 34th Arab league summit
ALBAWABA - U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's capacity to reach an agreement to release Israeli prisoners in Gaza as hostage talks between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha. Yedioth Ahronoth said that while there hasn't been any major progress, the Israeli negotiation delegation is still in Doha and is following the American plan spearheaded by Trump's Middle East envoy, Steven Weitekamp. According to Israeli authorities, the delegation's withdrawal has not yet been decided. Trump added, "I don't know if Netanyahu is capable of signing a hostage deal and securing their release," in response to the situation. We will soon find out. He said he is negotiating with Israel to get the captives home, acknowledging that their circumstances are not good. The discussion delegation is expected to remain in Doha until at least Saturday night, according to Axios, which cited anonymous Israeli sources. According to reports, the team urged Netanyahu to go on with negotiations, claiming that there is still a potential for a resolution. But annoyances are growing. Qatari mediators claim that the Israeli side has not presented any substantive suggestions in recent days, creating the appearance that they arrived in Doha to obstruct negotiations and defend the continuation of military operations in Gaza rather than engage in dialogue. According to one Israeli minister cited by Axios, while Netanyahu says he is trying to reach an agreement, talks have effectively come to a standstill. Protests are still going on in Israel. Demanding a hostage exchange, protesters gathered in front of the Jerusalem home of the Knesset Speaker. Israel is "just steps away" from missing another chance for a deal, according to the Israeli Hostage Families Forum. The forum charged Netanyahu of squandering a vital opportunity to bring the captives back and put a stop to the conflict. "Israel is being pulled further into the Gaza quagmire rather than bringing the conflict to an end," the organization said. Additionally, it urged Trump and Netanyahu to work harder to advance the cause before it's too late. Recently, President Trump wrapped up a four-day visit to the Middle East. He said that "good things" would occur with relation to Gaza in the next month, but he did not elaborate. He also said that the United States should assist the hungry Palestinians and reaffirmed his concern for the humanitarian situation in the Strip.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Israel's continued bombardment of Gaza risks radicalising a generation, adviser to the Qatari Prime Minister Dr Majed Al-Ansari tells the Mail's 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast
Podcast All episodes Play on Apple Spotify Israel 's continued bombardment of Gaza risks fanning the flames of extremism in the region, spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry Dr Majed Al-Ansari has told the Mail's 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast. Dr Al-Ansari said that Nethayahu's decision to strike Gaza while Qatar mediates hostage negations with Hamas 'frustrated' the nation. Speaking to the Mail's special correspondent David Patrikarakos, he also confirmed that talks are ongoing with the Trump administration to replace Air Force One with a $400 million luxury Qatari plane. Asked about the recent release of Israeli hostage Eden Alexander, Dr Al-Ansari said Qatar played a pivotal role in the negotiations and added that the nation feared continued IDF (Israeli Defence Force) airstrikes could derail the deal. Listen to 'Apocalypse Now?' wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now 'We had been pressuring as much as possible to get Eden Alexander home. It was a very difficult situation', he said. 'Israel bombed a location that was very near to him, and we were afraid he was dead. Thankfully, he was confirmed alive days before the exchange happened. 'We must remember that as he goes home to his family, other hostages are still in captivity and 2.3 million people in Gaza are still suffering from bombardments. 'We are very frustrated by the fact that this hostage and ceasefire deal – which President Trump reiterated yesterday in Doha was supposed to build new momentum – Israel chooses the next day to continue their war. 'They have shown they are not interested in a deal by killing more than 80 Palestinians today, including 22 children – bombing a hospital.' The advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister urged the Israeli government to 'go back to the negotiating table' or risk creating a generation of displaced Gazans who 'feel hatred' towards Jerusalem. 'We hope that the Israeli government realises its responsibility to come back to the negotiating table in good faith', Dr Al-Ansari said. 'We must find a way out of this rabbit hole – that will just keep being dug until we find ourselves in a regional crisis that we can't control. 'Nobody should assume that people who have been displaced from their lands, people under occupation – will grow up to be productive members without a feeling of vengeance, a feeling of hatred linked to them. 'We now have a generation that will live on thinking of only one thing: the bombardment of civilians in Gaza – we need to walk back from that, Qatar is doing its part, and I hope the rest of the world will pitch in.' On rumors Qatar Trump is eager to replace Air Force One with a luxury Qatari plane, Dr Al-Ansari confirmed talks were occurring between governments. However, he said the story had been 'blown out of proportion' in the media, with Trump only looking to borrow the Qatari plane until Boeing finishes the construction of a new, upgraded Air Force One. He told host Patrianakos: 'This whole issue has been blown out of proportion. There are talks between Defence departments here in Qatar about the possibility of transferring the use of this plane to the US to be used as Air Force One but only until a new Boeing plane is finished. 'It means the President can enjoy a new, much safer, and much more secure plane – and it's part of our wider defence and security partnership with the US.'
ABC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Trump officials talk up 'better chance' of Israel-Hamas ceasefire after hostage Edan Alexander's release
Senior Trump administration officials are talking up the prospects of a breakthrough in ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, following the release of the last surviving Israeli American hostage from captivity in Gaza. Soldier Edan Alexander was freed after more than 580 days held by Hamas, in a deal struck between the militant group and the United States government. There are still 58 hostages remaining in Gaza, with only 20 of them believed to still be alive. While they languish in captivity, the chorus of criticism of Israel for continuing its total humanitarian blockade of Gaza is growing, as forecasts of famine hitting the strip loom. The White House's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and hostage envoy, Adam Boehler remained in Israel after Mr Alexander's release, and as the President Donald Trump landed in Saudi Arabia for a tour of Arab states. The pair ventured to Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, and met with some families of remaining hostages, while being questioned about the prospects for relative peace in Gaza. 'I think there is a better chance now than before, I think that Hamas knows that they can pull a deal any day that they want,' Mr Boehler said. 'They need to approach Trump, they need to approach Bibi [Netanyahu], and they need to set this up the right way." Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Mr Alexander on Tuesday. In video released by the Prime Minister's office, the former hostage can be heard telling Mr Netanyahu he was 'fine' but 'weak'. Mr Witkoff was also on the call, and praised the Netanyahu Government's involvement. 'I've told Edan and his family everything that you have done to make this possible for the last several days,' the US special envoy said. 'It was a tense negotiation and it was critical how you were, how you allowed the negotiations to operate, and that's in large part the reason that Edan is home with his family today." The Netanyahu Government has been widely criticised by hostage families for prolonging the war for political purposes, delaying agreement on releasing captives in an effort to continue attacking Hamas in Gaza. Edan Alexander's return, and the dealings between Hamas and the US on securing his freedom without the direct involvement of Israeli authorities, is being viewed as further evidence of that. The desperation from Palestinians for some breakthrough, after months of stalled talks between Israel and Hamas, is impossible to ignore. Palestinian health authorities report more than 52,000 people have been killed by Israel in the course of the war, and humanitarian agencies said food and vital supplies across the strip are just days away from running out. Donald Trump is not scheduled to visit Israel during his visit to the Middle East – his first major overseas trip since returning to the White House for a second term. But the war in Gaza looms large over the tour of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar – with the Saudi Crown Prince hoping to cement his role as a key player in the region, and Qatar playing a role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict. The Saudi royal court rolled out the welcome mat for the president as he landed in Riyadh. President Trump and Mohammed Bin Salman signed a series of memorandums in the royal palace, spruiking the ties between their two nations and foreshadowing US $600 billion in investment. Among the deals was a commitment to strengthen defence industry ties to the tune of nearly US $142 billion, including in air and missile defence programs, and Saudi investment of US $20 billion on artificial intelligence. 'Number one, I like visiting with you, and we've known each other very well, and I really believe we like each other a lot,' President Trump said. 'And, number two, for the United States, we've brought tremendous investment in and tremendous jobs, and we continue to service your great country very well." Trump lieutenant Elon Musk was among a delegation of American business leaders also present at the summit. President Trump will travel to Qatar later in the week, where he is facing controversy for signalling he would accept a gift of a US $400 million plane to replace the United States Air Force One. It is unclear whether he will travel to Istanbul for mooted peace talks between the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
