Because, of Course – Qatar Negotiating Hostage Swap Between Israel and Hamas

Sundance reporting for Conservative Treehouse 

The leaders of Hamas do not live in Gaza, they live in Doha, Qatar….  So, it comes as no surprise the Qatari government, the official sponsors and finance operators of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Hamas is one subsidiary, will act as the negotiators for the release of captured Israeli hostages.

{Go Deep on Qatar}  👀

Of course, the Qatar negotiations will be for an exchange of Hamas prisoners in Israel, in exchange for Israeli women and children held hostage.  See how that works?

Sorry, I forgot, we are not allowed to talk of these things.  We must pretend not to know them.

DOHA/GAZA (Reuters) -Qatari mediators have held urgent calls to try to negotiate freedom for Israeli women and children seized by the militant group and held in Gaza in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israel’s prisons, a source briefed on the talks told Reuters.

Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed to Reuters its involvement in mediation talks with Hamas and Israeli officials, including over a possible prisoner swap.

The ongoing negotiations, which Qatar has been conducting in coordination with the United States since Saturday night, are “moving positively” said the source, who has been briefed on them.

“We are in constant contact with all sides at the moment. Our priorities are to end the bloodshed, release the prisoners and make sure the conflict is contained with no regional spillover,” foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told Reuters, without elaborating.

When asked to respond to the Reuters report, an Israeli official told Reuters only: “There are no negotiations under way.”  But there are no signs of breakthroughs as both sides dig in.

Qatar has been in touch with Hamas officials in Doha and Gaza, the source said, after the Islamist group assaulted Israel from Gaza on Saturday, storming into towns, killing more than 700 Israelis, and escaping with dozens of hostages.  (read more)

Do not start getting all Captain Obvious, and asking the transparently obvious questions about why Hamas officials reside in Doha, Qatar.  That would be too uncomfy.