Qatar hopes to “soon” secure the release of about 50 hostages held by Hamas in the next stage of negotiations between the terror group and Israel.

The gas-rich state, in co-ordination with the US, has taken on a mediation role in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

It has already brokered the release of four hostages taken in the Oct 7 attack, as Israel prepares for an anticipated ground assault on Gaza.

The Telegraph understands that Qatari negotiators came close to securing the release of 50 hostages in talks ahead of Tuesday’s release of two Israeli women, aged 85 and 79, in a deal facilitated by Egypt.