Qatar criticized today, Monday, comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling on it to pressure Hamas to release the hostages.

The spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The recent statements by the Israeli Prime Minister demanding that Qatar pressure Hamas to release the hostages are nothing but a new attempt on his part to delay the negotiations and prolong the war in Gaza, confirming that Qatar has been committed since day one to mediation efforts, resolving the crisis, and freeing the hostages."

Netanyahu had previously stated that the release of hostages in Gaza could be achieved through a "strong military action" and "very tough negotiations." He added, according to the Jerusalem Post newspaper: "Qatar can pressure Hamas like no one else can."

He continued: "They host Hamas leaders, and Hamas depends on them financially. And I urge you to pressure Qatar to pressure Hamas because we want to release our hostages."

On October 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, during which more than 1,160 people were killed, most of them civilians, and about 250 were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, according to a tally prepared by the AFP agency based on official Israeli data.

At the end of November, following a week-long truce, 105 hostages were released in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. Israel estimates that 130 hostages are still held in the Gaza Strip, and it is believed that 30 of them have died.

In response to the attack, Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and continues to carry out military operations that have resulted in more than 29,000 deaths and 69,000 injuries to date.