Trump’s envoy visits Qatar as part of talks in Gaza

US President-elect Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East visited Qatar, one of the countries involved in mediation between Israel and Hamas.

The trip takes place in the context of talks in Qatar on the possible release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the Qatari government, on Friday the envoy met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and exchanged views on ceasefire talks.

Trump demanded that Hamas release the hostages before he takes office on January 20.

The US president-elect has warned that those involved in the hostage capture will pay a high price if they are not released before January 20.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “if the hostage agreement is not implemented by the time President Trump takes office, Hamas in Gaza must be completely defeated.”

Meanwhile, broadcaster Aljazeera quoted a member of Hamas’ military division as saying: “Most of the enemy prisoners in the northern Gaza Brigade are currently missing due to Zionist aggression.”

The battle between Israeli forces and the Islamic group Hamas has killed more than 46,000 people in the Gaza Strip. The fighting has been going on for over 15 months.