Qatar

External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during the weekly media briefing said, "Our Ambassador got consular access to meet all eight in prison on December 3."

Scheduled to commence at 7 AM on Friday, the ceasefire is slated to endure for four days. Ansari specified that the release of the 13 hostages is set for 4 PM on the same day.

According to Israeli sources, the purpose of Barnea's trip is to advocate for additional deals in Israel's favor during the ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

This development follows the approval by the Israeli cabinet of an agreement with Hamas to release 50 hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attack.

The meeting focused on discussions regarding the release of hostages abducted by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7.  Qatar, with several prominent Hamas leaders in residence, has emerged as a crucial mediator in the ongoing crisis. 

"There has been 'significant progress' on negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas but there are issues still remaining," diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations were quoted by CNN as saying.

“We say enough is enough, and it is not permissible for Israel to be given an unconditional green light and unrestricted permission to kill. It is not permissible to continue ignoring the reality of occupation, siege and settlement,” Qatari Emir wrote on X.

Beginning in 2018, Qatar delivered funds in cash to Gaza to the tune of $30 million a month.