How the Hamas hostage-release deal evolved — and nearly fell apart — in final days

WASHINGTON (AP) — The negotiations hardly ran smoothly. But, in the end, persistence paid off.

Six weeks ago, not long after Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and took scores of others hostage in a surprise assault, the government of Qatar quietly reached out to the United States to discuss how to secure the release of those who were taken captive by the militant group.

But…