Israel and Hamas Agree to Transfer Medication to Hostages Held by Militants with Qatari Mediation

Israel and Hamas, with mediation from Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and participation from France, have agreed to transfer necessary medications to Israeli hostages held by militants, according to Qatar's foreign ministry.

In exchange for the medications for the hostages, humanitarian aid and medicines will be provided to the civilian population in the most affected areas of the Gaza Strip, the report states. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed bin Muhammad Al-Ansari clarified that humanitarian aid will be sent on January 17 via two military aircraft from Doha to Egypt, from where it will be transported to the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that a preliminary agreement regarding the transfer of medications to the hostages was reached on Friday, January 12. The medications are to be transferred “within the next few days,” the ministry has stated. The list of medications was compiled by the families of the hostages and their treating physicians. The Red Cross is set to deliver them.

France has also been working with Qatar on this arrangement. The country's president, Emmanuel Macron, has instructed the French Foreign Ministry to prepare a list of medications for 45 hostages. On Saturday, January 13, medications were sent to Qatar.