A few hours after discussions in Paris between American, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials, Antony Blinken spoke of “very important and productive work” on the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas since October 7.
American Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on Monday of a “real hope” of a possible soon release of the hostages still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the attack on Israel on October 7.
“I can’t say anything more, but I can say that very important and productive work has been done and that there is real hope for the future,” Antony Blinken said, interviewed at a conference press release on the holding, this weekend in Paris, of discussions between American, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials.
A “good and strong alignment”
“Hamas will have to make its own decisions. I can just tell you that there is a good and strong alignment between the countries involved that this is a good and strong proposal,” added Antony Blinken .
The senior diplomat met in the morning with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahmane Al-Thani, who reported “notable progress” in the talks in Paris.
He said a framework for a truce in Gaza and the release of hostages must be conveyed to the Palestinian Islamist movement.
Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has led mediation efforts since war broke out on October 7 between Israel and Hamas, following an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian movement on Israeli soil.
This article is originally published on bfmtv.com
