Qatar: There is no clear timeline to a deal

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said today (Tuesday) that it does not believe that they can speak of a clear timeline leading to a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

Multiple sources and reports from all sides have provided contradictory signs regarding the possible success of a deal, including optimistic reports of a deal being securable by the end of December or at least by President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, and others claiming there are still difficulties and challenges involved.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has repeatedly opposed the planned partial hostage deal, as he claims that this would lead to Hamas remaining in power and dozens of hostages being left to suffer in captivity.

He claims that increased military pressure, of the sort that reportedly led to the first partial hostage deal, is the way to ensure a deal on terms much more acceptable to Israel.