The Middle East Institute hosted an on-the-record press briefing to discuss the role of key regional partners Qatar and Egypt in the Israel-Hamas conflict, from the question of hostage negotiations being led by Doha to the evacuation of U.S. citizens and the wounded to Egypt. Recorded Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Speakers Brian Katulis Vice President of Policy, MEI Mirette F. Mabrouk Director, Egypt and the Horn of Africa Program, MEI
As the Israel-Hamas war reaches the one-month mark, calls for a ceasefire, or at least a humanitarian pause, are growing ever louder. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is steadily worsening and the civilian death toll continues to rise amid Israel’s punishing bombing campaign and widening ground assault, sparked by the brutal terrorist attacks of Oct. 7. Meanwhile, Hamas and other groups in Gaza are still holding roughly 240 hostages, mostly Israelis, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted there will be no humanitarian pause until they are released.