The emir of Qatar spoke on Tuesday of “a race against time” to secure the release of captives and stop the killing of civilians, as part of the diplomatic push for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was speaking on his first state visit to France at a dinner in his honour with French President Emmanuel Macron, while negotiations on Gaza were simultaneously taking place in Doha. Qatar plays a key role in current talks to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. The emir noted that France and Qatar were working intensely on Gaza diplomacy, but also s…