Qatari, US top diplomats discuss developments in Gaza

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held discussions Monday with his US counterpart Antony Blinken on developments in light of Israel’s onslaught against Gaza.

Blinken phoned Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar’s prime minister, during which "they discussed the gravity of escalating the confrontations in the Gaza Strip (and) the necessity of an immediate cease-fire," according to a statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry.

They also touched on the latest developments in the mediation process to release hostages in Gaza.

The Palestinian group Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said earlier in a statement that it is holding 200-250 people captive, including Israeli soldiers and civilians.

So far, four captives held in Gaza have been released by Hamas.

Qatar is the main mediator party between Hamas and Israel which is making efforts supported by the US to secure the release of more captives held in Gaza.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 8,306, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Monday.

“The fatalities include 3,457 children and 2,136 women, while more than 21,048 people were injured,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference in Gaza City.

More than 1,538 Israelis have been killed in the conflict.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar