US President Joe Biden told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of the urgent need to release without further delay an estimated 240 hostages held captive by Hamas.
The call took place a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the American leader to pressure the Qatari emir in convincing Hamas to expand the number of hostages it could release in a deal being mediated by Doha.
Both sides also discussed ongoing efforts to increase the flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza and Israel’s decision to resume fuel deliveries in the war-torn territory.
Qatar helped broker ceasefires between Israel and Hamas in 2014, 2021, and 2022 and transferred more than $1.8 billion to the Palestinian militant group.
The wealthy Gulf nation agreed to remain in close touch with Washington concerning the issue of securing the release of hostages.
