Qatari | Israel news feed

After meeting with the families, the Qatari premier had a private discussion with Gantz about urgently advancing a plan for the hostages' return and seeking ways to bolster regional stability

The official's statement came after Netanyahu pledged that 'we'll go into Rafah and destroy the Hamas battalions there, with a deal or without one.' This is the second time in a week that a Qatari official has criticized Israel for sabotaging cease-fire negotiations

Lawyer Joseph Benkel represents Qatar Charity, a foundation controlled by the Qatari government, which has been used to transfer funds to Hamas. After the war broke out, Benkel was drafted to Israeli army reserve duty as an advisor to the hostage negotiations

Multiple U.S.-based Jewish and Israeli groups are holding rallies and protests, including one in front of the Qatari embassy in Washington D.C., to put pressure on efforts to bring the remaining Israeli hostages home from Hamas captivity

A U.S. official said the Qatari team had also coordinated with Israeli officials to ensure the agreement to pause the fighting and release prisoners and hostages went smoothly