Qatar advises Hamas to improve their public image by releasing hostages

Israeli journalist and author Ehud Yaari says Qatar is advising Hamas that they should improve their public image by releasing civilians back to Israel.

Mr Yaari said there were intense negotiations between Israel and Hamas through Qatar over the release of over 200 hostages stuck in Gaza.

"The Qataris and some people in the political industry for Hamas outside Gaza are advising the Gaza leadership that they should improve their public image by releasing civilians,” Mr Yaari told Sky News host Caleb Bond.

"At this point, Hamas-Gaza insists that in return there will be an extended ceasefire and Israel will not accept it.

“It’s still going parallel to the fighting to have this negotiation continuously going on.”