Netanyahu: Qatar is not a ‘passive’ intermediary, must press Hamas for hostage release

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2024. (Yariv Katz/Flash90/pool)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on January 18, 2024. (Yariv Katz/Flash90/pool)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes Qatar as having “enormous leverage” over Hamas, and says Doha’s role in mediating so-far fruitless talks for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza is being scrutinized internationally.

“I think we should demand from Qatar, that hosts Hamas — they host Hamas leaders, they fund Hamas… to achieve the release of the remainder of our hostages,” he tells Britain’s TalkTV. “I think that the entire world is looking at Qatar.”

Asked what the US or other world powers might do on the issue, Netanyahu says: “That’s something I’ll speak to them directly about… I don’t think they [Qatar] are an intermediary that is passive.”

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