National Unity Chairman Benny Gantz met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, alongside the families of the hostages and World Jewish Congress president Ronald S. Lauder in Paris, Israeli media reported on Tuesday.
Al Thani reportedly met with the hostages's family members first, followed by a face-to-face meeting with Gantz.
Although the hostage negotiations were not discussed during the three-hour meeting, as those are handled solely by the negotiating teams, Gantz reportedly emphasized the importance of securing the hostages' return.
They did, though, discuss the need for urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip's civilians as well as the need to promote regional stability in the face of ongoing conflict, Israeli media noted.
The Qataris reportedly emphasized to Gantz that they have been doing everything in their power to bring about an overall better humanitarian situation, which includes the release of the hostages.
A personal touch
Gantz is believed to have a close personal relationship with the Qatari PM, which goes back to the former's days in the Defense Ministry, according to Israel Hayom.
Al Thani has also developed a personal relationship with some of the hostage families due to their meetings this year, according to Israel Hayom.
According to Ynet, the Qatari Prime Minister traveled to Paris specifically for this meeting with Gantz. The report also suggests that both may have been acting under pressure from the US.
Figures in the US administration are pushing Qatar to remain the primary mediator in negotiations, Ynet added. However, many in Israel have been losing faith in their abilities to get results, wanting to see increased pressure on the Qataris.
Many Israelis were disappointed when the promises of sanctions on Qatar never materialized.
The Qatari PM told the families, "Even if there are difficulties, I will not let go of this mission. I look at my daughters, and I see the hostages in Gaza. My daughter could have been there."
He told them about a relative who had been kidnapped in Iraq and that he understood the difficulty that families go through.
According to an Army Radio report on Wednesday, Gantz told Al Thani that he would ensure public support for a "good" hostage deal, urging the Qatari PM to "apply more pressure on Hamas."