Israeli-Qatari Mediation: Unraveling the Complex Negotiations in Gaza
Watan-The Israeli journalist and correspondent for the American site “Axios,” Barak Ravid, posted on his account on the (X) platform a series of tweets claiming the emergence of new ceasefire prospects in the Gaza Strip.
He alleges that the Israeli occupation has agreed to explore them through Qatari mediation. However, the resistance factions have categorically denied this and emphasized that they will not engage in any new negotiations until the aggression on Gaza stops.
Ravid claimed in his tweets, as reported by “Watan,” that Qatari mediators contacted Israel over the weekend to verify whether it was interested in resuming indirect talks with Hamas.
According to the Israeli correspondent, citing sources within the occupation, “Doha explored the possibility of discussing a new deal to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.”
1 \ Qatari mediators contacted Israel over the weekend to check if it is interested in relaunching indirect talks with Hamas over a new deal to secure release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, two Israeli sources told me
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 11, 2023
The Israeli Channel 12 quoted an official source as saying, “Israel is prepared to listen to proposals from mediators regarding a new exchange deal.”
The resistance denies what the Israeli media is circulating
On his part, Ali Abu Shahin, a member of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Jihad Movement, stated that anything related to prisoner negotiations would come after a ceasefire.
He explained in statements to Al-Mayadeen channel: “We deny what the Israeli media is circulating; there are no current contacts regarding prisoner negotiations.”
Ali Abu Shahin emphasized in his statements that “there is no talk now about humanitarian truces, and the position of the resistance is clear in rejecting any negotiations under pressure.”
In the same context, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan stated to Al Jazeera that “there is no talk about any prisoner exchange deal before the cessation of the aggression on Gaza.”
He continued, saying, “The position of the occupation authorities regarding an anticipated deal is due to internal pressures on them.”
#عاجل | القيادي في حماس أسامة حمدان للجزيرة: لا حديث عن أي صفقة تبادل أسرى قبل توقف العدوان على غزة#حرب_غزة pic.twitter.com/faD6Coqw9f
— قناة الجزيرة (@AJArabic) December 11, 2023
After the Palestinian resistance factions denied what was circulated by the Israeli media regarding a possible new deal, it seems that the occupation was gauging the situation after its glaring failure in the south and significant losses. However, the response from the resistance was decisive and is likely to shock decision-makers in Tel Aviv.
Barak Ravid continued his claims in his tweets, stating, “Since the collapse of the ceasefire for 7 days in Gaza, there have been no negotiations on a new deal. Meanwhile, Israel expanded its ground operation to include Khan Yunis.”
He added, “Last Thursday, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited the US capital, Washington, and met with Secretary of State Blinken.”
He further mentioned, “According to the US State Department and the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Blinken and the Qatari Prime Minister discussed the issue of hostages held in Gaza.”
1 \ Qatari mediators contacted Israel over the weekend to check if it is interested in relaunching indirect talks with Hamas over a new deal to secure release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, two Israeli sources told me
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 11, 2023
New terms in the potential deal
The Qataris are reportedly in discussions with the Israelis to determine whether the Israeli occupation will agree to a formula allowing the release of the remaining hostages, according to the claims of Barak Ravid.
However, the potential deal’s formula may include other elements to create an agreement that leads to a longer ceasefire than just one day, according to the tweets of the Israeli journalist.
2 \ Why it matters: Since the collapse of the 7-day ceasefire in Gaza as a result of Hamas refusal to release the remaining female hostages in its custody there have been no negotiations over a new deal. In the meantime Israel expanded its ground operation to Khan Younis
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) December 11, 2023
Therefore, according to what Ravid reported from an unnamed source, such a deal could include “humanitarian elements” such as the release of elderly and sick hostages or the release of hostages with serious injuries.
The Israeli journalist claimed that the Israeli occupation has expressed readiness to discuss a new agreement that also includes the remaining women who were supposed to be released in the previous deal.
According to Barak Ravid, “If the mediators propose such a tangible formula, it would be possible to resume negotiations on a new hostage deal.”
Premature and not matured preliminary discussions!
“Nevertheless, the renewal of discussions with the mediators remains ‘preliminary only’ and has not matured to the level that allows the resumption of negotiations, possibly reaching the level of serious talks in the future,” according to Ravid.
It is worth noting that the United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza due to the United States exercising its veto power.
Thirteen members of the 15-member council supported the resolution, with the United Kingdom abstaining from voting.
The resolution demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of all “hostages,” and the guarantee of humanitarian aid access.
