The Qatari government has officially declared that an agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas to facilitate the delivery of medicines to hostages in Gaza. The announcement, made in cooperation with France, outlined that the humanitarian aid would target the most affected and vulnerable areas in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Foreign Ministry's statement on Tuesday, the deal involves transporting medicine and humanitarian aid to civilians in exchange for delivering necessary medications to Israeli captives in Gaza. The spokesperson, Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, confirmed that the medications and aid would be transported from Doha to the Egyptian city of Al-Arish on two Qatari Armed Forces aircraft, with further arrangements for their transfer into Gaza.
Al-Ansari emphasized the ongoing collaborative efforts with regional and international partners, particularly in addressing humanitarian issues and medical evacuation. These efforts are part of Qatar's broader commitment to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in Gaza.
Israeli authorities estimate that approximately 136 people, including foreign nationals, are currently held captive in the Hamas-controlled enclave. Two individuals were reported killed in captivity on Tuesday, and during the humanitarian pause in November 2023, 86 Israeli and 24 foreign hostages were released.
The Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum highlighted that a significant portion of the abductees suffer from chronic illnesses and urgently require medications. The forum's recent report emphasized the harsh conditions of captivity, including mental and physical torture, affecting the health of the hostages.
This development follows the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office's confirmation that Mossad chief David Barnea reached an agreement with Doha regarding the delivery of medicines to Hamas-held hostages in Gaza. Qatar's pivotal role in brokering the November 2023 truce between Hamas and Israel is noteworthy, during which Israel released Palestinian prisoners, including many children and women.
After Hamas initiated an unprecedented attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 240 hostages, over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals lost their lives. Additionally, in the first two weeks of January, humanitarian missions faced challenges, with only 24 percent of the planned 29 missions successfully delivering lifesaving supplies to areas north of Wadi Gaza, as Israeli authorities denied access for the remainder of the missions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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