Qatar‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms this late on Saturday evening, but at the same time emphasizes that it will resume mediation in ceasefire talks when the parties show that they seriously want to end “this brutal war”.
– The Qataris have informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate an agreement in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate, an unnamed source told international news agencies earlier that day.
– As a consequence, Hamas’ political office no longer serves its purpose, added the source.
Qatar’s foreign ministry says the reports about Hamas’ political office in Doha are inaccurate.
Unsuccessful mediation
The political leadership of the militant Palestinian Hamas movement has been based in Qatar’s capital Doha since 2012, as part of an agreement with the United States, which counts Qatar as an important ally.
An unnamed official told the Reuters news agency that Qatar is withdrawing from the talks until Hamas and Israel “demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table.” The AP news agency also quotes officials as saying that Qatar is temporarily withdrawing as a mediator.
The Gulf state of Qatar, together with the United States and Egypt, has been mediating for months in fruitless negotiations to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.
Supposedly asked Hamas to leave
Earlier on Saturday, several other media, including Reuters, also wrote that Qatar, under pressure from the United States, should have asked Hamas’s people to leave the country.
A senior Hamas source tells AFP that the group has not received any hints from Qatar that they must leave the country.
– We have nothing to confirm or deny what was published by an unidentified diplomatic source, and we have not received a request to leave Qatar, says the unnamed Hamas official on Saturday evening.
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**Interview with Dr. Samira Al-Fahad, Foreign Affairs Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Al-Fahad. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently confirmed its intention to resume mediation in ceasefire talks. Can you elaborate on what this means for the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Al-Fahad:** Thank you for having me. This confirmation from Qatar signals a crucial step towards potentially stabilizing the situation. By emphasizing that they will only resume mediation when the parties involved demonstrate a genuine willingness to end the conflict, Qatar is setting a clear condition for its involvement. This approach not only reflects their role as mediators but also highlights the importance of accountability and sincerity in negotiations.
**Editor:** It seems there is a lot of emphasis on the parties’ willingness to engage in talks. What challenges do you think Qatar might face in this mediation effort?
**Dr. Al-Fahad:** One of the main challenges is the prevailing distrust between the conflicting parties. They’ve often had to negotiate under pressure or without a real commitment to peace, which leads to a cycle of violence. Qatar will need to facilitate an environment where both sides feel secure enough to genuinely engage and consider a ceasefire. Additionally, external influences and actors in the region may complicate efforts by pushing their own agendas.
**Editor:** Given the current situation, what can we expect in the near future regarding these ceasefire talks?
**Dr. Al-Fahad:** That’s difficult to predict, as it largely depends on the readiness of the conflicting parties to come to the negotiating table with authentic intentions. If Qatar’s condition is met, we could see a renewed dialogue that might lead to a prolonged ceasefire. However, if the parties remain entrenched in their positions, we might witness continued hostilities without any meaningful progress.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Fahad. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate this complex situation. We hope to see progress soon for all those affected by this conflict.
**Dr. Al-Fahad:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution soon.
