Gaza City:
Hamas and US representatives have held rare direct conversations in Qatar, two officials of the Palestinian group told AFP on Sunday.
“Direct conversations have taken place in Doha between the Hamas leadership and the United States of a ceasefire in Gaza, a prisoner exchange and entry of humanitarian help,” said a senior Hamas official, adding that the negotiations “are still underway.”
Another Hamas official said there was “progress made … especially to the entry of help with the Gaza Strip” and the potential exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, “especially regarding Edan Alexander”, an American-Israeli captivity that militants have.
The other official also reported progress “on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”.
Hamas continues to hold 58 hostages seized during October 7, 2023 -attacks on Israel.
Israel ended the last ceasefire lasting for two months, on March 18, launching a major offensive in Gaza and raming his bombardment of the territory.
It has also cut off all help to Gaza and said it would push Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
