Egyptian and Qatari mediators are set to meet senior Hamas officials in Doha on Saturday to go over a list of Palestinian detainees the group wants Israel to release as part of a hostage swap, sources told The National on Saturday.
The latest negotiations towards a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas began in Doha on July 6 amid high expectations fuelled by upbeat comments made by US President Donald Trump that suggested a deal was within reach.
The talks have over the past week made significant progress but sticking points remain over issues such as the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails and what comes when a proposed 60-day truce ends.
The sources said Saturday's round of discussions will be focused on finding a compromise to overcome Israel’s opposition to the release of high-profile Palestinians serving long jail terms following their conviction on security-related charges.
The most prominent of those prisoners is Marwan Barghouti, a senior leader of the Palestinian Fatah group who is widely viewed as a successor to President Mahmoud Abbas, who is in his 80s.
The sources said the mediators and Hamas officials will also be discussing the mechanisms of distributing humanitarian assistance when a proposed 60-day truce goes into effect.
Hamas, according to the sources, wants the aid to be distributed across the coastal enclave and through UN agencies and their affiliated groups.
Israel is reluctant to abandon plans to create a “humanitarian city” near the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where it wants 600,000 Palestinians to be pushed into and receive aid, the sources said – an arrangement likened by critics to a concentration camp.
Israel does not want UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, to be involved in humanitarian operations in Gaza, a position that reflects Israel’s distrust of the agency that has worked in Gaza for decades.
The UN has warned of famine in the Gaza Strip as supplies are being held back by Israel in lorries at the border. While small amounts are distributed in the north, most of the aid in the south is being handled by the controversial US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Its distribution centres have been the scenes of numerous deadly incidents.
At least 32 Palestinians were killed at an aid distribution site in Gaza on Saturday morning, adding to many who have died each day since the inception of the GHF in May.
The sources said that focusing Saturday’s meeting on the Palestinian prisoners and aid did not mean that another key issue – Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza during the proposed truce – has been resolved.
“Some progress has been made on the issue of the withdrawal but more discussions are needed,” said one source. “But everyone agreed it would be good to move to other pending issues that can be completely resolved and then return to the tough one on withdrawal.”
Hamas has repeatedly called for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave as part of a truce deal.
Besides the 60-day truce, the main terms of the proposed deal is for Hamas to free 10 living hostages. Mr Trump on Friday said the captives would be released soon.
“We got most of the hostages back. We're going to have another 10 coming very shortly, and we hope to have that finished quickly,” he said.
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)
Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)
Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
