Middle East
Death of Hamas leader apparently complicates hostage deal
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages take part in a rally in Tel Aviv in late December. photo
© Ariel Schalit/AP
Around 135 people are still being held in the Gaza Strip. Discussions for release have recently been underway. But that is likely to become more difficult now, according to a report from Qatar.
The killing of Hamas leader Saleh al-Aruri makes things more difficult from the perspective of the Gulf Emirate, which is mediating in the Middle East conflict Qatar continues negotiations on the release of hostages with the Islamist organization. The news portal “Axios” reported this overnight, citing an unnamed Israeli source and a Qatari official.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told several families of Israeli hostages who met him in the capital Doha that a new deal would now be more difficult.
Qatar and Egypt had recently worked to restart talks between Israel and Hamas about the release of more hostages. The terrorist organization kidnapped around 240 people into the Gaza Strip in its bloody attack on October 7th. 105 hostages have since been released in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. The Israeli army estimates that around 135 people are currently being held in the Gaza Strip.
Al-Aruri died in an explosion in the Lebanese capital Beirut last Tuesday. The Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, which is allied with Hamas, suspects Israel is behind the action. After the death, there were concerns about further escalation in the Middle East conflict.