Qatar's Diplomatic Balancing Act in the Middle East

During the brutal Hamas-led attack on Israel earlier this month, more than 1,400 Israelis were killed and more than 200 Israeli and foreign hostages were kidnapped.

So far, Hamas has released just four hostages.

The families of the remaining hostages fear that time may be running out to save their loved ones. Israeli airstrikes continue and a ground invasion into Gaza seems imminent.

Experts say that would put the hostages in danger.

NPR's Michele Kelemen speaks to host Juana Summers about the diplomatic efforts to free the remaining hostages.

And host Mary Louise Kelly talks to Bader Al-Saif, a professor of history at Kuwait University, on the Gulf nation of Qatar's role in negotiating for the hostages' release.

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