DOHA: Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that without a “period of calm” in Gaza its mediators would not be able to secure the release of Israeli prisoners held there.

“Any hostage release has to be linked to a period of calm that allows for the hostage release to work, which is something we have not seen for a while,” Majed Al Ansari, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters.

Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not pause its attacks unless the prisoners held by Hamas are freed first.

The Gulf state of Qatar has, in coordination with the US, led mediation talks with Hamas and Israeli officials over the release of prisoners since Oct 7.

Qatar’s Prime Minister said on Sunday that the negotiations were at risk of failing because of Israel’s attacks and misinformation circulating about the talks.

“The process of this mediation is at risk in light of the spread of false reports and leaks about the negotiations, in addition to the complexity of the field situation due to the practices of the Israeli occupation army,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, whoalso serves as foreign minister, said at a press conference with his French counterpart in Doha.

“It is a channel that is used for the mediation of the release of hostages, the exit of the foreign nationals and in various aspects of the mediation that is taking place. So I don’t foresee any reason to close that channel now,” Al Ansari said.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2023