Iran meets Hamas chief, foreign hostages could be released 'in the coming days'

Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh has met Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reports. The meeting took place in the Qatari capital Doha.

It is the second time since the escalation of hostilities that the two men have met. Iran reportedly wants to mediate for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Iran has close ties with Hamas, as they have a common enemy in Israel. Qatar has also been one of Hamas' most important backers for the past 15 years, providing political support and financial aid. Haniyeh himself lives in Qatar.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Hamas' military wing announced that the group wants to release foreign hostages who have been held since the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel "in the coming days".

In a video distributed through Hamas media channels, Abu Obeida said mediators had been informed of the intention to release "a number" of foreigners.

In the video, he also said the Gaza Strip will become "a graveyard and a quagmire" for Israeli soldiers, and said that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu would face a "crushing defeat that will be the end of his political career".

^{Iran's Foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (L) meets Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Doha © PHOTO IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRYy / AFP}