Qatari officials supported Hamas in rejecting the most recent Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire/hostage release, Israeli media outlets reported on Sunday.

According to the report, Qatar pressured Hamas not to accept the proposal, claiming that the terror group would receive a better offer in the future.

Israeli senior officials said that Qatar’s “assistance” in mediation efforts has been hindering progress in the talks, adding that it would be preferable to work solely with Egypt.

According to the reports, if it wasn’t for Qatar’s interference, it is possible that Hamas would have accepted the most recent Egyptian proposal due to the increased IDF pressure in Gaza, the blockage of humanitarian aid into the Strip, and intense diplomatic pressure applied by Egypt and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Ynet reported that contrary to the public perception that the war in Gaza is stagnating, recent IDF operations in Gaza have succeeded in creating pressure on Hamas to accept a partial deal that will see the release of some hostages.

The Saudi Al-Hadath media outlet reported on Sunday that Egypt has demanded that Hamas provide a full report on the hostages’ conditions by early May.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)