Israel’s Channel 12 aired recordings of the embattled prime minister telling relatives of captives held in Gaza that Doha acting as a mediator in the conflict is “problematic”, Al Jazeera reports.

Benjamin Netanyahu also appeared to express disappointment with the United States for “not applying more pressure on the Gulf state, which hosts Hamas leaders”, the Times of Israel reported.

Earlier, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson praised positive mediation efforts.

“We are engaging in serious discussions with both sides. We have presented ideas to both sides. We are getting a constant stream of replies from both sides, and that in its own right is a cause for optimism,” Majed Al Ansari told a news conference.