Antony Blinken discusses American hostages with Qatar

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held talks with Qatar's leader, in his ongoing attempt to negotiate the release of Americans taken hostage by Hamas.

The US diplomat is engaged in a seven-country tour of the Middle East.

He's trying to prevent the conflict from opening on a second front and to show the U.S.'s support for Israel.

The secretary of state says he has made it clear during his trip: Arab countries cannot continue diplomatic relations with Hamas.

In the same speech, Antony Blinken thanked the Qatari government for helping to negotiate the release of hostages with Hamas.

The US secretary of state declined to say whether he approved of Israel's call to move all civilians to the south of Gaz