Qatar says negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas are ‘ongoing’

Qatar’s foreign minister says that hostage negotiations with Hamas over the more than 200 people it took hostage during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel continue.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar’s prime minister, makes the comments during a news conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday.

“Regarding the progress on the hostage negotiation, it’s still ongoing,” Sheikh Mohammed says. “If we compare where we started and where we are right now, there is some progress and some breakthrough and we will remain hopeful.”

He adds: “The negotiations are still ongoing and at any moment of time, I think that if we will be able to get along between the two parties, I think we will see some breakthroughs hopefully soon.”

Tzahi Hanegbi, the head of Israel’s National Security Council, tweeted today that he is “pleased to say that Qatar is becoming an essential party and stakeholder in the facilitation of humanitarian solutions.”