On Saturday, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed with a delegation from Hamas the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip and ways to move them forward.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Ibn Abdul Rahman "received in Doha today the Hamas delegation for the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip, headed by Khalil Al-Hayya."

The ministry added that "during the meeting, the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza were reviewed, and ways to push them forward were discussed to ensure reaching a clear and comprehensive agreement that puts an end to the ongoing war in the Strip."

Last Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of "setting new issues and conditions related to the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which delayed reaching an agreement that was available."

Hamas confirmed in a statement at the time that this was happening despite the fact that the negotiations were "progressing seriously in Doha" and despite its showing "responsibility and flexibility" to make them a success.

But the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a statement that the Palestinian movement was the one creating "new obstacles" to reaching a deal.

The prisoner exchange negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, have stumbled more than once, due to Netanyahu’s insistence on “continuing control over the Philadelphi Corridor on the border between Gaza and Egypt, and the Rafah crossing in Gaza, and preventing the return of Palestinian faction fighters to northern Gaza by searching returnees through the Netzarim corridor in the middle of the Strip.”

For its part, Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a complete cessation of war, in order to accept any agreement.