Qatari PM says Hamas has "positive response" on hostage deal

DOHA -- Qatar has received a "positive response" from Hamas on the latest Gaza ceasefire-for-hostage deal proposal, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference here with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Regarding Hamas's response, the Qatari prime minister did not provide further details. Blinken also confirmed that officials had received Hamas's response and he would discuss it with Israeli leaders during his visit to Israel on Wednesday.

"There is still a lot of work to be done," Blinken said, adding that he believes that an agreement is possible.

Blinken is on his fifth tour to the Middle East since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict in October last year. Blinken's visit to Doha followed stops in Saudi Arabia on Monday and Egypt early Tuesday. He is also expected to visit Israel and the West Bank during his tour which will end on Feb 8.