Qatar hopeful Hamas to soon release more hostages

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has said he hopes there will soon be a breakthrough in negotiations led by the Gulf state to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, although his government has warned that an Israel invasion could jeopardise those efforts.

“There is some progress and some breakthrough and we remain hopeful,” The Guardian quotes Al Thani as saying at a press conference in the Qatari capital.

“If they are able to get along between the two parties I think we will see some breakthroughs hopefully soon,” said Al Thani, who is also the minister of foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, officials from Qatar’s foreign ministry have said an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza would complicate efforts to free the hostages.

Qatar is attempting to persuade Hamas that a large civilian release could reap diplomatic benefits by showing the group, proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western countries, to be sensitive to international humanitarian concerns over the captivity of children and other non-combatants.