Netanyahu calls on Qatar to use 'leverage over Hamas' to release captives

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Qatar to apply leverage on Hamas in order to bring about the release of the Israelis being held captive in Gaza. 

"Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas. It also funds Hamas. It has leverage over Hamas," Netanyahu said in a televised news conference. "So they should be so good as to apply their pressure. They positioned themselves as mediators - so please go right ahead, let them be so good as to bring back our hostages."

Qatar and Egypt have open channels to Israel and Hamas, and brokered a November truce in which Hamas freed some of the 253 people it seized on 7 October. In return, Israel approved increased aid for the devastated enclave and released scores of Palestinians it had been holding prisoner. 

Efforts to get a follow-up deal to return at least some of the 132 Israelis being held in Gaza appear to be flagging, and protests in Israel demanding that the government do more are spreading.

There was no immediate Qatari response to Netanyahu's comments.