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 Issues Royal Decrees on Appointing, Terminating Services of Military Officials

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
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Saudi Arabia Issues Royal Decrees on Appointing, Terminating Services of Military Officials

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Thursday Royal Decrees based on what has been submitted by the Minister of Defense.
The first Royal Order included terminating the service of General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima, Commander of the Joint Forces, and referring him to retirement, and relieving Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Ghufaili, Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, of his post and appointing him as Deputy Chief of the General Staff at the rank of lieutenant general.

The Order also included relieving Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Mutair, Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, of his post and appointing him as Advisor at the Minister of Defense’s Office at the rank of lieutenant general.

Major General Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed Commander of the Joint Forces.
Major General Fahd bin Saud bin Dhuwaihir Al-Juhani was also promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed Chief of Staff of the Land Forces.
The Decree also included promoting Naval Major General Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Hamed Al-Gharibi to the rank of lieutenant general and appointing him as Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces.

A second Royal Order relieved Dr. Samir bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Tabib, Advisor at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet of his post. And a third Royal Order appointed Dr. Samir bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Tabib, as Advisor at the Ministry of Defense at the excellent rank.