GAZA STRIP: The chances of a deal between Hamas and Israel to release Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners have increased in recent days, with the only obstacles being logistical, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday.

“Our confidence in the possibility of reaching an agreement to return the hostages and Palestinian prisoners held in Gaza to their families has increased in recent days as we move closer to the goal of negotiations. The obstacles are only logistical and technical, not substantive,” the prime minister said during a press conference in Doha.

Thousands have been killed in Israeli strikes, and there are severe shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel in the besieged territory. Israel has long alleged that Hamas maintains a sprawling command post inside and under Shifa. About 2,500 displaced people, mobile patients and medical staff left Shifa Hospital on Saturday morning, the WHO said.

Meanwhile, 31 premature babies were safely transferred from Gaza’s main hospital to another in the south on Sunday, and will be moved to Egypt, health officials said, as scores of other critically wounded patients remained stranded there days after Israeli forces entered there.

The fate of the newborns at Shifa Hospital had captured global attention after the release of images showing doctors trying to keep them warm. A power blackout had shut down incubators and other equipment, and food, water and medical supplies ran out as Israeli forces battled Palestinian militants.

WHO chief said that the “very sick” babies were evacuated, along with six health workers and 10 staff family members. He said they were taken to a hospital in Rafah where they are receiving urgent care.