Qatar pushing Hamas to free captives, says breakthrough is near

Gulf state which has long funded Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip reportedly pressuring the terror group to free more captives, says a breakthrough is near.

By World Israel News Staff

The government of Qatar is pressuring the Hamas terrorist organization to release additional captives being held in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported Wednesday.

According to the report Qatar – a key patron of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip – is demanding the terror organization speed up the release of captives, even without concessions from Israel, ahead of Israel’s planned ground operation into the coastal enclave.

Following the October 7th invasion, Qatar has brokered talks between the Biden administration and Hamas for the release of captives held in Gaza.

Jerusalem has said it has not entered into talks with Hamas.

Hamas claims to be holding roughly 250 Israelis captive in the Gaza Strip, while Israel has thus far confirmed the identities of 220 of the hostages.

Four captives, including two dual Israeli-US citizens, have been released thus far, including Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie, who were freed on Friday, and Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, who were released on Monday evening.

Dozens of children, including babies as young as nine months old, remain in Hamas captivity.

On Wednesday, Qatar said it is nearing a breakthrough in its efforts to secure the release of additional captives.

Hamas has previously said it is willing to release all civilian captives in exchange for a halt to Israel’s air campaign in Gaza, while adding that it will demand the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel in exchange for the release of captive Israeli soldiers.