ALBAWABA - Israel has been informed by Qatar that Hamas has decided to halt the negotiations that were hoped to lead to a new hostage swap deal and a new truce and demands full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
This announcement comes as a surprise after Reuters revealed in an exclusive report that Israel and Hamas have broadly agreed in principle that an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners could take place during a month-long ceasefire.
Intense mediation efforts led by Qatar, Washington, and Egypt in recent weeks have focused on a phased approach to release different categories of Israeli hostages - starting with civilians and ending with soldiers - in return for a break in hostilities, the release of Palestinian prisoners and more aid to Gaza, Reuters reported.
