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 implications of Qatar’s suspension of mediation efforts on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Thompson, Middle East Conflict Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Thompson. Recently, Qatar announced the suspension of its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas due to a lack of progress in finding a truce. What are your thoughts on this turn of events?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. Qatar’s decision is significant as it highlights the current impasse in the negotiations. The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majid al Ansari, emphasized that Qatar is willing to return to mediation when there is “the necessary seriousness” to resolve the conflict. This indicates a recognition of the stalled negotiations and a demand for more commitment from the involved parties[[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/11/09/g-s1-33594/qatar-suspends-mediator-israel-hamas-gaza)].
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the lack of seriousness from the parties involved. What factors do you think contribute to the stagnation in negotiations?
**Dr. Thompson:** There are multiple factors at play. First, both Israel and Hamas have significantly different objectives in these negotiations, and finding common ground can be exceedingly challenging. Additionally, external pressures and influences—from regional players and global powers—can complicate the dynamics further. The assurance from Qatar that it is not withdrawing completely, but rather waiting for a more promising environment for discussions, suggests that they still see potential for dialog but need the willingness from both sides to engage seriously[[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/11/09/g-s1-33594/qatar-suspends-mediator-israel-hamas-gaza)].
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, given the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Thompson:** The suspension of mediation can exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Without a truce or a serious negotiation process in place, the violence can continue unabated, leading to further loss of life and worsening conditions for civilians. Each day that passes without resolution deepens the plight of those affected by the conflict, and intervention from mediators like Qatar is critical to fostering dialog and hopefully leading to a ceasefire[[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/11/09/g-s1-33594/qatar-suspends-mediator-israel-hamas-gaza)].
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you foresee the role of Qatar evolving in the future regarding this conflict?
**Dr. Thompson:** Qatar has positioned itself as a key mediator in Palestinian affairs, particularly through its relationship with Hamas. While they have paused their efforts, the situation can change rapidly, and they may resend their mediation offer if conditions shift. The Qatari government has made it clear that their goal is stability and peace in the region, and they are likely to remain involved as long as they believe there is a possibility for constructive engagement between parties[[1](https://www.npr.org/2024/11/09/g-s1-33594/qatar-suspends-mediator-israel-hamas-gaza)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Thompson. It seems we are at a crucial juncture in this ongoing situation.
**Dr. Thompson:** Indeed, and I hope we see movement towards serious negotiations soon. Thank you for having me.