According to sources close to the negotiations, Israel received a clear assurance from Qatar that the hostages would be released as planned, despite some hiccups in communication that caused delays in delivering the final list of names. The delay was attributed to technical and logistical issues rather than any disruptions in the agreement itself.
A spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, addressed the issue in an interview with Al Jazeera. He explained that the delay in transferring the list of abductees this morning was a result of efforts needed to ensure the agreement’s continuity. “The mediators worked tirelessly to ensure the names were quickly communicated to the other side, and the parties would come to an agreement,” Kays stated. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the agreement, noting that today marked the first day since the collapse of the previous deal that Palestinian residents of Gaza could experience a sense of hope and normalcy.
This highlighted the ongoing involvement of the Qatari team in the operations room in Cairo, where they are collaborating with Egyptian and American diplomats to monitor the situation closely. “Ensuring both sides’ commitment to the deal is no easy task,” he said, adding that the mediators were also keeping an eye on the return of displaced people, ensuring that it followed the agreed-upon maps. He stressed that today’s progress demonstrates the crucial role of the political process, with Qatar and its partners taking a lead in facilitating the release of hostages and prisoners.
Although criticism of the agreement persists, the Qatari spokesperson believes that success on the ground will ultimately reduce opposition to the deal. In response to a tweet from Kan News, he acknowledged that former President Donald Trump’s influence remains vital in ensuring the agreement's full implementation. A diplomat from one of the mediation teams confirmed that while the agreement faces logistical challenges, lessons have been learned from past deals, and the primary hurdle is the lack of trust between the involved parties.
In a separate statement, Sapir Lefkin, another spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, reiterated the commitment of the mediators to see the agreement through. He dismissed criticism from figures like Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich and others, emphasizing that the focus remains on adhering to the deadlines set forth in the agreement. "There will be day and night efforts to respect these deadlines," Lefkin said. "There are logistical complexities that require careful monitoring, including the return of displaced persons and the transfer of aid. Coordination and communication are key to ensuring the success of this exchange."
Lefkin also stressed that the stakes are high, warning that any failure to meet the terms of the agreement could have dire consequences. "Failure is not an option now. The future repercussions are too significant to ignore," he concluded.
As the release progresses, both Qatar and its partners remain vigilant, ensuring that all parties continue to honor their commitments and that this vital political process leads to the safe return of hostages and a lasting resolution.
Amid the tension surrounding a finalized list of which hostages are to be released in the first stage of the deal, CBN reported that after Hamas released the first group of hostages this morning, Michael Waltz, who will serve as President Trump's national security adviser, stated that Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander will be freed in the second phase. Trump also issued a stern warning to Hamas, making it clear that there would be consequences if they do not release all hostages.
"One of the things that we inherited was this framework of women, the elderly and the sick coming out first," Waltz says . "But we will get him out, period."
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