Authorities assured that they will return when there is “necessary seriousness” / Photo: RTVE
Qatar confirmed this Saturday the suspension of its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas due to lack of progress in negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip, but assured that it will resume them when there is “the seriousness necessary to end the war.”
The spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majid al Ansari, also clarified that “the information circulating” about Qatar’s withdrawal from the negotiations or the closure of the Hamas political office in Doha “are not accurate.”
“Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago during recent attempts to reach an agreement that it would suspend its mediation efforts in the event that an agreement is not reached in that round and will resume them, together with its partners, when the information is available. seriousness necessary to end the brutal war,” Al Ansari said, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
“The State of Qatar will then be at the forefront and will make all commendable efforts to end the war and return the hostages and prisoners,” he asserted.
Qatari diplomatic sources in Cairo had assured EFE that Doha has informed Israel and Hamas that it is withdrawing from the mediation work it has carried out for more than a year for a truce in Gaza.
They also assured that the Qatari authorities notified the Palestinian Islamist group that, due to the lack of progress and the stagnation of the dialogue, its office in Doha “no longer serves the purpose” for which it had been established.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman considered “the information related to the Hamas office in Doha to be inaccurate.”
“The main objective of the office’s presence in Qatar is to be a channel of communication between interested parties. This channel has previously achieved a ceasefire and contributed to maintaining a truce that led to the exchange of prisoners and hostages, women and children , in November last year,” Al Ansari said.
He was alluding to the only one-week truce achieved at the end of November 2023.
Negotiations have been stalled since last August due to mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas of hindering the achievement of an understanding.
Cairo / EFE
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**What are the potential consequences of Qatar suspending its mediation role between Israel and Hamas for the regional diplomatic landscape?**
**Interviewer**: Welcome to our program focused on the latest developments in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Today, we have with us Dr. Layla Saeed, an expert on international relations in the region. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Saeed.
**Dr. Saeed**: Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer**: Recently, Qatar announced the suspension of its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas due to a lack of progress in negotiations for a truce. Can you explain the implications of this decision?
**Dr. Saeed**: Certainly. Qatar has played a critical role in mediating between Israel and Hamas for several years, often acting as a channel for humanitarian assistance and facilitating negotiations. By suspending these efforts, Qatar is signaling its frustrations with the current state of dialogue. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated that they will resume mediation when there is “the seriousness necessary to end the war.” This indicates they are waiting for a more constructive environment for negotiation [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html)].
**Interviewer**: What does this mean for the humanitarian situation in Gaza?
**Dr. Saeed**: The suspension of Qatari mediation efforts could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Qatar has historically provided significant financial support to help alleviate hardships there, particularly through channels like Hamas. Without active mediation and the flow of assistance, we may see worsening conditions for civilians caught in the conflict [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html)].
**Interviewer**: There were reports that Qatar might close the Hamas political office in Doha. What can you tell us about that?
**Dr. Saeed**: The Qatari Foreign Ministry, represented by spokesman Majid al Ansari, clarified that such information was inaccurate. While Qatar has suspended mediation, they have not withdrawn from the negotiations entirely, nor have they closed the Hamas office. Instead, they are maintaining a stance that suggests readiness to re-engage when the circumstances improve [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html)].
**Interviewer**: Given the current landscape, what might be the next steps for Qatar and its role in future negotiations?
**Dr. Saeed**: The next steps will heavily depend on shifts in the broader geopolitical environment. If international actors, particularly the US and allies, can exert pressure for a renewed dialogue, Qatar may step back in to facilitate discussions. However, they’ve made it clear that without tangible seriousness from both sides, their involvement will remain limited [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/middleeast/qatar-hamas-funds-israel-backing-intl/index.html)].
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Saeed, for your insights on this complex situation. We will continue to monitor these developments closely.
**Dr. Saeed**: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds.
