Israel conducts ground incursion in Gaza tanks roll through border area
Israeli forces conducted "brief" ground incursions into the Gaza Strip as the war with Hamas enters its 20th day. The Hamas-run Health Ministry claims at least 6,546 Palestinians have been killed and 17,439 wounded. More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas, in which 224 people including foreigners were taken captive into Gaza. Four people have been released so far.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike
Israel Defense Forces said an airstrike killed Madhath Mubashar, the commander of Hamas' Western Khan Yunis battalion.
Mubasher is accused of taking part in explosives and sniper attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilian communities.
"Furthermore, the IDF struck 250+ Hamas targets including a terrorist tunnel network in Gaza that detonated the secondary explosions," the IDF said.
Damage in two Egyptian cities after aerial threat in Red Sea area: report
Damage was reported in two Egyptian cities after they were hit by projectiles on Friday, according to Reuters.
Egyptian security forces told the outlet that Taba, which is near the Israel border, and Nuweiba experienced explosions. The country's state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that the explosion in Taba appeared to come from a missile launched during the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, which is about 137 miles away.
Six people were injured in Taba, according to Egypt's health ministry, after an ambulance facility and residential building were hit. Four of the six have already been discharged from the hospital.
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari acknowledged the incident during a Friday briefing, saying:
"In the last few hours, an aerial threat was detected in the Red Sea area. Fighter jets were launched towards the threat, and this matter is currently under investigation. In our understanding, the damage caused in Egypt originates from this threat. Israel will work together with Egypt and the US and tighten the defense in the region against threats in the Red Sea area."
Israel apologized last weekend after several Egyptian border guards were injured by fragments of a shell from an Israeli tank.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Hostages held in Gaza by Hamas rises to 229: IDF
The number of hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists has risen to 229, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari said Friday afternoon.
Friday's number is five more than the 224 hostages reported on Thursday and the number is likely to change as various operations continue to unfold, Hagari said.
Since Hamas began taking hostages during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, only four have been released from custody – a mother-daughter duo from the Chicago area and two elderly Israeli women.
Hagari said the IDF is investing all of its efforts into its top priority of bringing the hostages home safely.
Jewish Insider editor discusses 'atrocious' unedited footage of Hamas attack: 'Crucial to watch'
Melissa Weiss, executive editor of Jewish Insider, joined Trace Gallagher on "FOX News @ Night" from Jerusalem Thursday to discuss the unedited footage of Hamas' terror attack launched on Israel on Oct. 7.
Weiss, who was one of approximately 200 journalists allowed to view the footage in a private setting hosted by the Israel Defense Forces, described it as "atrocious" and "shocking."
"I think it was crucial to watch. You have to remember there are roughly 2,000 foreign journalists on the ground covering this war. Many of them have not been to Israel before. Many of them are not familiar with Hamas. So, for them, viewing this footage was an eye-opening experience," Weiss said. "They could not believe that Hamas was capable of this."
"When you look at this conflict, Hamas is not playing on the same level of morality as Israel and, frankly, as most of the world," Weiss said, adding that the things she saw will stay with her forever.
Israeli forces launch brief incursion into Gaza for second consecutive night: IDF
Israel launched a second brief incursion into Gaza overnight Thursday, Fox News correspondents reported from Tel Aviv Friday morning.
The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas terrorist targets were struck by ground troops, fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles over the past 24 hours. There were no injuries reported by the Israeli military and the troops were quickly out of the area.
Targets hit by the IDF include anti-tank missile launch sites, command and control centers, and Hamas operatives, according to the force.
The brief ground incursion mostly impacted the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of the northern Gaza Strip, according to Fox News' Mike Tobin, and marked the second consecutive night of such operations ahead of a looming invasion.
“I think preparation of the battlefield is the precise word to use there. That’s what we are getting from the Israelis,” Tobin reported from Tel Aviv at 10 a.m. Friday.
American forces in Iraq, Syria attacked 3 times Thursday, Pentagon says
American forces in Iraq and Syria were attacked three times on Thursday, according to Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
"We're tracking that there were three attacks today, so it's now at 19 attacks, and again, we'll continue to update those numbers as new information comes in," Ryder said Thursday evening.
Since Oct. 17, there have been 19 attacks against American personnel in Iraq and Syria, including the three on Thursday, by a mix of one-way attack drones and rockets, the Department of Defense said.
Though specific groups responsible for the attacks were not named, Ryder said they "are affiliated with Iran."
At least 21 service members have been injured in the attacks, but all have returned to duty, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. One U.S. civilian contractor died after experiencing a cardiac incident while sheltering from the attacks.
Fetterman responds to 'Free Palestine' writing at Pittsburgh school: 'This is reprehensible'
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., denounced a picture posted on X, formerly Twitter, showing "Free Palestine" written across a wall at a school in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Squirrel Hill, a predominantly Jewish community where the Tree of Life Synagogue is also located.
Fetterman described the picture, allegedly depicting an exterior wall at Allerdice High School, as "reprehensible."
"This is reprehensible," the senator wrote on X. "The only thing that belongs on a wall right now is this."
His post then included a picture of the wall outside his office in Washington, D.C., which shows an American flag and dozens of flyers with information on people who have been kidnapped by Hamas following its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
An antisemitic attack took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, 2018, when a gunman opened fire on the congregation, leaving 11 people dead and six others wounded.
US military conducts airstrikes on Iranian proxy forces inside Syria
The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on two facilities in eastern Syria on Thursday in response to ongoing attacks against American military personnel in Iraq and Syria over the past week, according to the Department of Defense.
A pair of F-16s targeted two facilities – a weapons depot and an ammo storage area – near Abu Kamal used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups, a senior U.S. defense official told Fox News' Jennifer Griffin. It's unclear if there were any Iranian militants at the facilities when they were hit.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement Thursday night that the U.S. does not seek conflict, but the "Iranian-backed attacks" on American forces are "unacceptable and must stop."
"Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them," Austin said. "If attacks by Iran’s proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people."
There have been 19 attacks against American personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17, including three additional attacks on Thursday, according to Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.
A U.S. contractor died from a cardiac incident while sheltering in place during the attacks and 21 American troops were injured – all of whom have since returned to duty, Austin said.
Pro-Palestine protest at Tulane turns violent after man attempts to burn Israeli flag
Three Tulane University students in New Orleans, Louisiana were assaulted on Thursday when pro-Palestinian protests turned violent after a man tried to stop a protester from burning an Israeli flag.
Video obtained by Fox News Digital, which was made silent due to profanity, shows a truck with a masked man in the bed holding a Palestinian flag with another man, who is unmasked, holding an Israeli flag and a lighter.
When the second man appears to begin to light the Israeli flag on fire, another man holding an Israeli flag of his own runs up to the truck and attempts to stop the act before chaos breaks out and the interventionist is assaulted by pro-Palestinian protestors.
In total, three people were assaulted after the events turned chaotic.
In a letter sent to the Tulane Community, University President Michael A. Fitts and other school administrators called the day, “deeply distressing,” stating that three Tulane students were assaulted at the rally, which was “intentionally staged” on the public sidewalk along Freret Street. The university does not have control over the public sidewalk.
“This rally was not approved or sanctioned by Tulane,” the statement read. “There were approximately 40 plainclothes and uniformed New Orleans, Tulane, Loyola and State Police officers, including mounted police, who made arrests.”
Also on hand to assist were dozens of Tulane staff members.
Last night, university police apprehended a suspect for antisemitic vandalism to a building near the campus, the statement noted, and an investigation into Thursday’s events continues, which could lead to more arrests.
“To be clear: We condemn and are outraged by today’s violence and the hateful language and rhetoric we heard,” the statement read. “It is counter to everything we stand for at Tulane. What started out as a peaceful demonstration unfortunately devolved into a violent incident and a dark day for our community.”
Many of the people involved in the protest are not affiliated with the university, administrators added, and everyone who committed an illegal act will be held accountable for their actions.
“Tulane has always found strength in our unity. We must now lean on our common humanity and the Tulane spirit to find a path forward during these challenging times,” the statement read. “We cannot prevent protests from happening on public property even at our university’s doorstep. We can only protect and support one another as we face each new day together.”
Labeling China, Russia and Iran new ‘Axis of Evil’ will not neutralize threats they pose: opinion
Last Friday, Zhai Jun, China’s special envoy to the Middle East announced after a meeting the day before with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russia and China share “the same position on the Palestine question” and will work together on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, while promoting the de-escalation of the situation.
Also last week, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping met in Beijing and called for an “immediate” cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In response, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., during his Sunday TV appearances, branded China, Russia and Iran the new "Axis of Evil," advocating that this "immediate threat to the United States" must be dealt with on an "emergency basis."
The Kentucky Republican implied that in the Israel-Hamas war, Russia and China, both of whom have recently deepened relations with Iran, were on the side of the terrorists.
But there are several reasons why the “Axis of Evil” badge does not fit.
While both Putin and Xi are ruthless characters, their union is rather an axis of convenience and opportunity. Their primary mission now is to outplay Washington in the Israel-Hamas war and broader conflict.
Yes, Iran is malevolent. Obsessed with the mission to destroy Israel and harm the United States, Tehran can only be dealt with by force. But neither Russia, nor China are motivated by evil when it comes to their actions on the global stage. Putin and Xi are not religious fanatics. They are pragmatic, realpolitik-minded leaders. Although authoritarians, both are focused on: first, ensuring their countries’ security – that they equate with regime survivability; and second, on shifting the balance of power in their nation’s favor and away from the West.
While Moscow and Beijing seek to defeat U.S. forces on the battlefield – in the event that Washington directly intervenes in a conflict within their perceived respective spheres of influence, such as in Taiwan or Ukraine – neither has plans to launch a devastating strike on the U.S. homeland unprovoked.
Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and the author of Putin’s Playbook, contributed to this report.
US Military makes moves to bolster presence and deter wider conflict in Middle East
U.S. military forces are maneuvering ships throughout the Middle East to amass one of the largest collections of war ships in the region in decades, according to reports.
Making its way halfway across the Atlantic Ocean, the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is moving toward a group of U.S. naval ships in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Once there, it will make its way through the Suez Canal to the Persian Gulf.
The fleet consists of the USS Gravely and USS Mason, both destroyers, and the USS Philippine Sea, a guided-missile cruiser.
The strike group was first tasked to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean, but it has since been issued the change of plans.
Once the fleet reaches the Persian Gulf, it will mark the first time since the evacuation of Afghanistan that a U.S. carrier strike group will operate in the Middle East.
U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) News reported that France is also sending an amphibious warship to join U.S. and U.K. forces as a deterrence to keep the war between Israel and Gaza from spreading to other parts of the region.
On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the New Jersey Air National Guard's 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrived within U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility, adding additional F-16 fighting Falcon Squadrons into the mix to deter further aggression in the region.
The U.S. Navy announced last week it would be sending the USS Mount Whitney to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as tensions in the Middle East rise amid the Israel-Hamas war. The ship left Gaeta, Italy last week to join the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
Also in the area is a special operations capable Marine rapid response force of nearly 2,000 Marines and sailors known as the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is moving closer to Israel via the Red Sea. The group includes the amphibious ready groups USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall.
California city's resolution condemning Israel passes, 5-1
A California city passed a controversial resolution to back Palestinians in Gaza, which some local Israeli supporters say will “only incentivize the Hamas Nazi terrorists” and “greenlight the endless attempts to kill more Jews.”
Council members of the Bay Area city of Richmond passed the measure, which states Palestinians are “currently facing a campaign of ethnic cleansing and collective punishment by the state of Israel,” in a 5-1 vote.
An hourslong public comment period leading up to the vote became heated at times, with shouting between audience members.
The resolution says the "state of Israel is engaging in collective punishment against the Palestinian people in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks on Israel," naming Israel’s blockade of electricity, water and other medical supplies into the densely-populated territory.
Israel has offered to end the blockade if Hamas releases its hostages, but the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group has been holding firm, effectively prolonging the Palestinian people's suffering.
"Israel is now engaged in an ethnic cleansing campaign by explicitly requiring 2 million Palestinians to leave Gaza immediately or risk being bombed in their homes by the Israeli army," the resolution says.
The resolution also calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the safe passage of substantial humanitarian aid to Gaza and the immediate release of all Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, among other things.
In conclusion, the resolution said the City of Richmond, “opposes all existing and any future military aid to Israel.”
Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Hamas, Hezbollah leaders meet in Beirut to plot war against Israel: photo
Leaders with Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad met Wednesday to discuss their ongoing war against Israel.
Hezbollah official Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri and Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala spoke Wednesday about the conflict.
"An assessment was made of the international positions being taken and what the parties of the Axis of Resistance must do [...] to realize a real victory for the resistance in Gaza and Palestinian and to halt the brutal aggression," Hezbollah said in a statement. "There was agreement on continuing the coordination."
Both Hamas and Hezbollah are dedicated to destroying Israel.
In a picture posted from the meeting, which took place in Beirut, Lebanon, the leaders are seen sitting in couches, with pictures of past and present leaders of their benefactor, Iran, behind them.
Timothy H.J. Nerozzi of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
NYC councilwoman slams Cooper Union for not providing safe environment for Jewish students
A New York City councilwoman who was arrested after allegedly bringing a handgun to a pro-Palestinian rally in Brooklyn earlier this month, slammed Cooper Union on social media after Jewish students were barricaded inside a library on Wednesday as pro-Palestinian protesters were seen harassing them.
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Republican who represents the 48th District, posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that she had spoken with four Jewish students from Cooper Union, three of whom were inside the library on Wednesday when protesters “violently” banged on the doors.
After speaking with the students, Vernikov shared a few take-aways regarding the incident.
Although the rally was intended to be outside the school on public property, she said, the protesters “stormed” the library and there were no consequences for it.
Another take-away was that faculty members canceled classes and encouraged students to participate, offering extra credit, the councilwoman was told by students, and some faculty members even participated in the walk out.
When it came to security, Vernikov learned from students there were not enough security guards on site, and the New York City Police Department did not show up right away. When they did, students alleged, NYPD told students the college did not allow officers on school grounds because Cooper Union is a private school.
“Some of the protesters were acting violent, held antisemitic posters, as well as what looked like sticks,” she said. “Instead of removing protesters from school grounds, the school barricaded the Jewish students in the school library.”
Vernikov added that the Jewish students in the library were “terrified” and “shaken,” fearing that they could have been physically assaulted and injured.
The students allegedly told the councilwoman one of the slogans they heard was, “Globalize the intifada from New York to Gaza,” or uprisings of Palestinians.
“This is a terrible dereliction of duty on behalf of [Cooper Union] to protect its Jewish student from physical harm, a failure to provide them with a safe space, and the university must be held accountable for creating a hostile environment,” Vernikov said. “Heads need to roll.”
Some people are now calling for university president Laura Sparks to step down.
A spokesperson for the school told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that the library was closed for 20 minutes as protesters moved through the building. Some students, the spokesperson said, were in the library and remained there when the protests moved through.
“They were accompanied by library staff and chose to stay in the library until the protest was over,” the spokesperson said. “All students, including those who participated in the protest, dispersed by 5:30 p.m. Additionally, to clarify some erroneous reports, NYPD was onsite throughout the day.”
UMASS students protest Israel’s occupation of Gaza; 57 protesters arrested
A pro-Palestinian protest at University of Massachusetts with nearly 500 students that included a march to the Whitmore Administration Building, delivery of demands for the school’s chancellor and a sit-in resulted in the arrest of 57 protesters on Wednesday night, according to reports.
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian reported that the protests met at 2 p.m. near the Student Union before marching to the Whitmore Administration Building. While there, about 250 students went to Chancellor Javier Reyes’ office where they congregated.
At 6 p.m., the building closed, and 57 students reportedly remained inside, refusing to leave unless demands delivered to Reyes were met.
UMASS Dissenters posted the demands to Instagram, which called for the school to cut ties from weapons manufacturers that arm “Israel’s genocide” in Gaza; an immediate end to Israel’s seize on Gaza and U.S. funding for Israel; and for the school to replace weapons’ manufacturers with jobs working toward a demilitarized future.
The protests reportedly lasted until 2 a.m. and videos of the night showed a hoard of people chanting things like, “No more money for Israel’s crimes,” “Palestine will be free,” and “Free, free Palestine.”
Police officers were called names like, “Pigs,” and as each of the protesters who sat inside the building were escorted out, they each yelled their names. One girl could be heard shouting that she was being arrested for protesting genocide.
IDF claims elimination of three senior Hamas operatives with ‘significant’ roles on Oct. 7
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claims to have eliminated three senior Hamas operatives who played a “significant role” in the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel.
The IDF announced the news, which was based on IDF and Israel Securities Authority (ISA) intelligence, in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Based on precise IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck 3 senior Hamas operatives in the Daraj Tuffah Battalion,” the post reads. “The battalion’s operatives played a significant role in the invasion and murderous attack against Israel on Oct. 7, and is considered to be the most significant brigade of the Hamas terrorist organization.”
The war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is now in its third week. At least 5,700 people have been reported killed in the war on both sides, including at least 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and 32 Americans. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims at least 4,385 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and the West Bank and more than 13,561 wounded.
Israel's UN ambassador tells General Assembly, 'we are at war with monsters'
Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, spoke during an emergency meeting pertaining to the Israel-Hamas war on Thursday, telling those in attendance that his country was not at war with humans, but instead were “at war with monsters.”
During the emergency meeting, held by the UN’s General Assembly and expected to last two days, Erdan shared stories while showing pictures and videos of the heinous acts committed by Hamas on innocent civilians.
In one video, a terrorist is seen trying to behead a victim.
“I have seen much footage over the past weeks that will be seared into my mind forever, but there is one sight that I keep seeing when I try to sleep,” Erdan said. “In the video, one can see a terribly injured civilian – bloodied, yet alive – laying on the ground as a Hamas savage screaming Allahu Akbar repeatedly pummels the man’s neck with a garden hoe in order to decapitate him.”
Erdan said the victim was not Israeli or Jewish, but instead was an agricultural worker from Thailand, merely trying to make a living for him and his family.
“But he was decapitated with a blunt gardening tool,” the ambassador said. “Horrifying! Israel is not at war with human beings, we are at war with monsters.”
Erdan shared photos of Israeli victims burned alive, raped, and butchered by Hamas terrorists.
He said the attack on Oct. 7 was conducted by “Barbaric Hamas terrorists” who came with the sole purpose of “savagely” murdering every living thing in their path.
“They brutally murdered civilians in their beds. They drove pickup trucks with machine guns – yes, just like ISIS – and fired blindly at hundreds of young people at a concert,” Erdan said. “The savages tortured small babies. Just like the Nazis, Hamas terrorists removed infants from their cribs and swung them repeatedly against the ground until their skulls became a pulp. Children were murdered in front of their parents. And parents in front of their children."
The UN is expected to vote on a resolution introduced by Jordan – which does not condemn or even mention Hamas.
“They write a resolution completely devoid of any content related to the situation, they assume that you have already forgotten who it is that is responsible for the inhuman violence, and they just expect you to support it,” Erdam told the General Assembly. “This resolution is a disgrace to your intelligence. It is unfathomable that such a resolution – one that doesn’t even mention Hamas – could possibly be voted upon."
Pentagon officials say 900 troops deployed to Middle East who were on 'Prepare to Deploy' orders
U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said on Thursday that 900 troops have been deployed, or are in the process of deploying to the Central Command area in the Middle East.
Ryder said the troops heading to the region have been on “prepare to deploy” orders, and are deploying from the continental U.S.
The units include a high-altitude area defense battery from Fort Bliss, Texas; Patriot batteries from Fort Sill, Oklahoma; the Patriot and Avenger batteries from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and their associated air defense headquarters, which are elements from Fort Bliss and Fort Calvados, Texas.
Ryder would not say where the units were being deployed to, but confirmed they are not going to Israel.
“Again, they are intended to support regional deterrence efforts and further bolster U.S. force protection capabilities,” Ryder said.
He also said between Oct. 17 and 18, 21 service members received minor injuries during drone attacks at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq and al-Tanf Garrison in Syria.
At al-Tanf, there were 17 U.S. service members who were injured, 15 of whom were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, or TBI. Four service members were injured at al-Asad, and also diagnosed with TBI.
All 21 members have returned to duty.
Iran’s foreign minister threatens US, accuses Israel of 'genocide' in UN speech
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned the U.S. that it would not be spared if it continues to manage what he called the “genocide in Palestine,” while speaking to the United Nations on Thursday.
“Today in New York and the United Nations, I say frankly to the American statemen who are now managing the genocide in Palestine that we do not welcome the expansion of the war in the region,” Amir-Abdollahian said. “But I warn, if the genocide in Gaza continues, they will not be spared from this fire. It is our home and West Asia is our region.”
He continued by saying his country does not compromise with any party or side and does not have reservations when it comes to the country’s security.
Amir-Abdollahian directed comments to President Biden, saying Hamas is ready to release civilian prisoners, then added that the world should support the release of 6,000 Palestinians who are also held as prisoners, though in Israel.
“In addition, why the United States itself is actually and in practice and directly involved in committing crimes against Palestinians, it is not in a position to invite others to exercise self-restraint and refrain from spreading the war,” the foreign minister said. “Therefore, we strongly warn against the uncontrollable consequences of the unlimited financial arms and operational support by the White House to the Tel Aviv regime, which have led to the expansion and added to the severity of the bombardments of the civilians and the Palestinian women and children in Gaza and the West Bank.”
US and Qatar agree to negotiate Hamas’s status in Doha, once hostage crisis resolved: source
The U.S. and Qatar have agreed to negotiate Hamas’ status in Doha, after the hostage crisis has been resolved, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The Washington Post was first to report about the agreement.
At this time, the source says, there is no specific plan on how to resolve Hamas’ office in Doha, or whether Qatar will expel Hamas.
The deal was struck between the two countries two weeks ago in Doha when Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad al-Thani.
Hamas has an office in the Qatari capital, and officials in Qatar have been acting as intermediaries to negotiate with Hamas to release hostages.
Richard Edson of Fox News contributed to this report.