• Qatar’s PM cites “minor” practical issues in the hostage deal with Hamas.
• No specific details or timeline provided for resolution.
• Qatar mediates discussions for the release of 240 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.

Qatar’s prime minister revealed that the resolution of a deal to release hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack on Israel now depends on addressing “minor” practical issues.

However, no specific details or a timeline were provided.

“The challenges that remain in the negotiations are very minor compared to the bigger challenges, they are more logistical, they are more practical,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told a joint press conference with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Qatar, in its role as a mediator, has facilitated discussions with the goal of securing the release of some of the 240 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. This mediation effort has resulted in the liberation of four hostages thus far.

“The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks,” the premier said.

“I think that I’m now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal that can bring the people safely back to their homes.”

In response to the October 7 attacks, Israel has pledged to eliminate Hamas, attributing approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 240 hostages to the incident.

Israel’s intensive air and ground campaign has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 12,300 individuals, with over 5,000 of them being children, as reported by the Hamas government in Gaza, which has governed the region since 2007.

The United States stated on Saturday that it continues efforts to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas.

A tentative agreement, as reported by the Washington Post, suggested a potential exchange wherein women and children held hostage in Gaza would be released in return for a temporary cessation of hostilities.

The reported plan outlined a pause in combat operations for at least five days, with hostages released in batches.

However, the White House swiftly responded on Saturday evening via X (formerly Twitter), denying any significant breakthrough.

Thani said on Sunday it was “counterproductive to see leaks about the negotiations coming out in the media before sealing the deal”.

On Thursday, Biden expressed a “mildly hopeful” outlook regarding the prospect of reaching an agreement to release the hostages, thought to encompass around 10 U.S. citizens. Israel has consistently rejected appeals for a ceasefire until all captives are freed.

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