Qatar rejoins hostage deal talks, slams Israel for Syria 'exploitation'

Qatar has reengaged with Israel and Hamas 'in good faith' as part of negotiations toward a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday.

Qatar considers it unacceptable for Israel to "exploit" the current situation in Syria and violate its sovereignty, Ansari said in a press conference.

Asked about any communication with Syria's leading rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Al-Ansari said Qatar's doors are open to all concerned parties in Syria.

Turkey condemns Israel's entry into Syrian buffer zone

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said earlier on Tuesday that it strongly condemned Israel's entry into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria and its advance into Syrian territory.

"Israel is once again displaying its occupation mentality," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Israel denied that its forces had entered Syrian territory beyond the buffer zone with the Golan Heights. However, Syrian sources said the incursion had extended to within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of the capital, Damascus.