Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, expressed concern about Gaza’s impending humanitarian catastrophe and thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for helping extend a humanitarian pause there.
Families of the remaining hostages remain anxious, with every news report raising hopes only to dash them shortly thereafter. Al Jazeera spoke with them and experts regarding recent developments.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Maria Zakharova says : ‘Russia is still working with Israel & Qatar to free hostages from Gaza’
Since Israel’s devastating war with Hamas in 2014, families across Israel have been horrified at the fate of its captives held hostage by that militant group bent on its destruction. Families’ hopes rise and fall as they witness images of loved ones being released by Hamas from Gaza prisons.
Maria Zakharova has become the face of Russia’s Foreign Ministry’s efforts to restore it. Born to a Soviet diplomat and attending Moscow State Institute of International Relations just as the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia was hit with sudden capitalism, Maria attended as soon as it opened in 1993 – right when Russia faced its sudden capitalist transition. Her focus at MGIMO was China and she graduated with honors. Subsequently she worked in their press service – even taking an international stint working for UN in New York! Eventually becoming known as Russia’s answer to Jen Psaki; who became subject to frequent trolling within Russian state media and official statements over her handling at State Department under former President Obama and who became subject to frequent trolling by Russian state media and official statements in her previous role at State Dept under former President Obama who became subject to frequent trolling within Russia itself!
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Russia is a key player in hostage negotiations
Israeli bombardments against Gaza continue, and their defense minister announced on Monday that its army was moving into besieged territories. Israeli tanks have appeared along Salah al-Din Road where many in Gaza are taking shelter from bombings. NBC’s Yara Shapiro reports this.
On Monday, Hamas released a video of an ex-hostage discussing her concerns for her family and appealing to Prime Minister Netanyahu to end this conflict. Other released captives have made similar statements.
Lazzarini said most Palestinians in Gaza feel trapped in a war they have no part in and are suffering due to a shortage of food and medicine. She noted that the U.S. is helping by providing supplies and funding humanitarian organizations. A senior U.S. official told CBS there are currently no active negotiations taking place but there’s “real exploration of ideas on how we might get this going” — this individual wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about this topic.
Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani says Russia is a key player in hostage negotiations
Qatar has played a pivotal role in the Mideast conflict, providing humanitarian solutions and serving as an intermediary between Israel and Hamas. Furthermore, its energy-rich Gulf emirate hosts an American military base – vital for US operations in the region.
Emirates seek to position themselves as international power brokers by drawing upon their vast oil and natural gas resources to become an influential player internationally. To do this, they have formed relationships with regional players including hosting Hamas’ political wing in exile for more than 10 years and providing billions in financial support to Hamas’ cause.
Qatar has attempted to use its role as mediator in the Gaza conflict to enhance its image, but if they cannot broker an agreement that brings an end to it all their claims to global power will be severely dented. Qatar must demonstrate it can mediate between groups or countries which the United States won’t or can’t deal with directly and its diplomatic skills and finances will be put through rigorous scrutiny in this challenge.
Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman says Russia is a key player in hostage negotiations
Israel has appointed Avigdor Lieberman, an outspoken former nightclub bouncer from Moldova with little military experience, as its new Defense Minister. Lieberman advocates hawkish policies such as bombing Egypt’s Aswan dam and ending conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews – something he is known for doing as nightclub bouncer.
Israel has recently displayed its growing power by killing two senior members of Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, as well as conducting artillery strikes that caused damage but no injuries at Syria’s Aleppo airport.
Rights activists believe Israel’s increased violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is part of a deliberate plan to push them out of their homes and undermine a two-state solution based on land for peace. Polls show most Israelis blame Netanyahu for failing to anticipate Hamas’s October 7 attack, as well as for decades empowering Hamas as part of a larger plan to undermine peaceful resolution to conflict. Such statements could create awkward conversations when Lieberman meets with international counterparts like David Miliband or Hillary Clinton.
