Senators Urge Biden to Leverage Qatar in Hamas Hostage Negotiations

Bipartisan call to action warns of potential impact on US-Qatar relations if more is not done to secure release of hostages, including eight Americans.

• Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) have called on President Biden to increase pressure on Qatar to secure the release of more than 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
• Qatar has significant influence over Hamas due to its close ties, hosting of senior Hamas leaders, and provision of significant funding to the organization.
• The senators have warned that Qatar's continued diplomatic relations with the US could be significantly impacted if it does not do more to convince Hamas to free the remaining hostages.
• Eight of the hostages are believed to be American citizens.
• Qatar has previously played a key role in the release of American hostages and mediated prisoner swaps between the U.S. and other countries.

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