The Prime Minister of State of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on Wednesday, said that negotiations the Gulf Arab state is leading to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war are making progress.
The Prime Minister said that there have been some breakthroughs and that they remain hopeful.
Reuters reports that Qatar’s Foreign Ministry urged de-escalation of the war and warned that an Israeli ground assault on the densely populated enclave of Gaza would make freeing hostages “much more difficult.”
Speaking at a press conference in the Qatari capital, Mohammed was quoted as saying, “There is some progress and some breakthrough and we remain hopeful.”
Qatar has had an open dialogue with both Israel and Hamas, which has brought about the release of four hostages captured in the October 7 rampage Hamas led into Southern Israel, including two Israeli women on Monday.
Mohammed, who is also the minister of foreign affairs and who was speaking alongside his Turkish counterpart said, “If they are able to get along between the two parties, I think we will see some breakthroughs hopefully soon.”
Qatar foreign ministry officials said an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza would complicate efforts to free the hostages.
The foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, said, “Obviously, a land incursion into Gaza would make it difficult to maintain the safety of the hostages, and in our efforts at mediation with both sides, we urge all parties in this conflict to de-escalate immediately.”
Also speaking in Doha, Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, said that an Israeli ground operation into Gaza would turn the fighting there into a massacre, adding that those supporting Israel’s actions under the pretence of solidarity were “accomplices to its crimes”.
It was reported that some 222 people aged from 9 months to 85 years were seized on October 7 when Hamas and other militants went on a killing spree through Southern Israel, shooting motorists, hunting down civilians, including children.
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