Report: Qatar mediating prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas
The Arab-Israeli newspaper Kul al-Arab reported that Qatar is mediating between Israel and Hamas for a prisoner exchange deal. According to the report, Hamas made the talks conditional upon the release of 60 prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal and who were arrested at various stages after its implementation.
The report suggests that Israel agreed on the condition that they are expelled to the Gaza Strip or Qatar. This suggestion however, was apparently rejected by Hamas.
An official close to Hamas told Ynet that Qatar’s ambassador to the so-called Palestinian territories Mohammad al-Amadi, who often visits Gaza and occasionally meets with Israeli officials, is involved in the negotiations.
