01/17/2024

France, Qatar Strike Deal to Supply Medicine to Gazans, Israeli Hostages

This is a rare diplomatic breakthrough

A plan mediated by France and Qatar to deliver lifesaving medication to Israeli hostages, as well as critical aid to civilians in Gaza, went into motion Wednesday in a rare diplomatic breakthrough.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Tuesday the supplies would leave Doha, the Qatari capital, on two air force planes bound for the Egyptian city of Arish. At least one of the planes carrying the medicines landed in Egypt on Wednesday morning, and the deal to transfer the supplies was underway, according to an Israeli official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive event.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday night that the agreement was reached with the participation of Mossad head David Barnea, who has been in Qatar to discuss “the issue of supplying medicines to the Israeli hostages.” It said that the medicines were purchased in France, according to a list prepared by Israel, and that Qatari representatives will be responsible for the delivery to their “final destination.”

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.