Qatar PM: Challenges to Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal are 'Just Logistical'

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
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Qatar PM: Challenges to Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal are 'Just Logistical'

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. QNA

Qatar's prime minister said on Sunday the main sticking points blocking a deal for the release of dozens of hostages taken by Palestinian group Hamas in their Oct. 7 attack on Israel were now "very minor" and mainly practical and logistical issues.
"The challenges facing the agreement are just practical and logistical," Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said at a joint press conference with European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Doha.
"The deal is going through ups and downs from time to time throughout the last few weeks. But I think that you know I'm now more confident that we are close enough to reach a deal that can bring the people safely back to their home."
Borrell said the UN security Council resolution on humanitarian pauses in Gaza must be implemented.

"The decisions of the Security Council are not just words ... They have to be implemented," Borrell said at the joint press conference.



Saudi Arabia Urges International Community to Halt Israeli Violations of International Law, Norms

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud charing Tuesday's cabinet session - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud charing Tuesday's cabinet session - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Urges International Community to Halt Israeli Violations of International Law, Norms

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud charing Tuesday's cabinet session - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud charing Tuesday's cabinet session - SPA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reiterated its call upon the international community to fulfill its responsibility in halting Israel's ongoing violations of international law and norms. This came during the cabinet session held on Tuesday, which was chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Cabinet also stressed the importance of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity to prevent further escalation of regional crises and to support efforts toward achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

The Cabinet was further briefed on the message that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques received from Republic of Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the two phone calls received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula.
The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Crown Prince's meeting with Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic Kyriakos Mitsotakis and of the strategic partnership council between the two friendly countries, which included reviewing cooperation ties and means to enhance them across various fields and exchanging views on developments of mutual interest and ongoing efforts in this regard.
In a statement to SPA following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary highlighted the Cabinet's discussion of current regional and international developments. The Cabinet commended the broad international participation in the recent ministerial meetings on Syria hosted by the Kingdom, which aim to support the Syrian people through humanitarian and economic assistance and to help them rebuild Syria as a unified, independent, and secure nation for all its citizens. The Cabinet emphasized that Syria must be free from terrorism and any aggression against its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The meeting also reviewed the Kingdom's ongoing international development and humanitarian relief efforts, which aim to alleviate the suffering of those in need worldwide.