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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How does Qatar’s financial support for Hamas
**Interview with Dr. Sara Al-Fahd, Middle East Policy Expert**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Al-Fahd. Recently, Qatar announced it has suspended its mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas due to a lack of progress in negotiations. Can you provide some context on what led to this decision?
**Dr. Al-Fahd**: Absolutely. Qatar has played a significant role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, particularly in the context of Gaza. Their involvement has often come together with support for humanitarian efforts in the area. However, as the spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majid al Ansari, noted, the current situation lacks “the necessary seriousness” for a productive negotiation, which prompted Qatar to pause its mediation efforts for the time being [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_support_for_Hamas)].
**Interviewer**: There seems to be a lot of speculation around Qatar’s role, especially with reports about its potential withdrawal from negotiations. What can you tell us about these claims?
**Dr. Al-Fahd**: Those reports seem to be unfounded. Al Ansari explicitly stated that the information suggesting Qatar’s withdrawal or the closure of the Hamas political office in Doha is inaccurate. Instead, Qatar is waiting for a more conducive environment for dialog [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_support_for_Hamas)]. It indicates their commitment to the peace process but underscores the challenges currently faced.
**Interviewer**: How significant is Qatar’s involvement in the broader context of support for Hamas?
**Dr. Al-Fahd**: Qatar has been a crucial financial supporter of Hamas, providing substantial funds over the years to facilitate not only political activities but also humanitarian needs. They’ve transferred over $1.8 billion to the group, which reflects their longstanding relationship and influence in the region [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_support_for_Hamas)]. This financial dynamic is essential, especially when mediation efforts falter.
**Interviewer**: What might be the next steps for Qatar once negotiations can resume?
**Dr. Al-Fahd**: If and when conditions improve, we can expect Qatar to re-engage actively in mediating talks. Their aim will likely be to facilitate a ceasefire and initiate discussions that address the underlying issues contributing to the conflict. Qatar’s involvement is pivotal not just for Hamas, but for broader regional stability, which is why they’ll wait for the right moment to act once again [[1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatari_support_for_Hamas)].
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Al-Fahd, for your insights on this complex situation. It’s crucial to keep an eye on how these negotiations evolve and the roles different players like Qatar will take on moving forward.
**Dr. Al-Fahd**: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment for the region, and continued dialog is essential.
