All news

Israeli delegation still in Doha, talks on Gaza continue — Qatari diplomat

"There is nothing to make us think that one of the delegations has quit the talks," Majed Al-Ansari added

DUBAI, March 26. /TASS/. Israeli officials are in Doha, where talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages continue, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said.

"We have been optimistic since the talks began, but today there are many problems on the ground, <…> we understand that they do exist," the Al Jazeera television channel quoted him as saying during a news conference.

"As for the delegations, meetings in Doha continue. There is nothing to make us think that one of the delegations has quit the talks. I can confirm that part of the delegation is still in Doha and is continuing talks as we speak," he said, commenting on allegations that the Israeli delegation plans to leave the Qatari capital city because of Hamas’ position.

According to Al-Ansari, the ongoing consultations involve technical groups. However, in his words, it is too early to talk about any timeframe for the talks, but the Qatari authorities are doing their utmost to reach a deal.

The Qatari capital city of Doha is hosting Gaza ceasefire talks, which resumed on March 18. According to Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari, although the talks have yielded no breakthroughs, its participants are cautiously optimistic about their prospects.

The AFP news agency reported on Sunday that Israel’s Mossad Director David Barnea and US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns had left Doha after another round of consultations.

The Ynet news portal said earlier on Tuesday that Barnea had ordered to recall the Israeli delegation from Doha as the talks had reached a dead end after Hamas turned down compromise solutions suggested by the mediators, putting forward demands Israel simply could not accept.