Qatar suspends its mediation role for a ceasefire in Gaza

An unnamed Qatari official told Reuters that Qatar will suspend its mediation efforts for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza until Hamas and Israel demonstrate a "sincere willingness" to return to the negotiating table.

Adding that the political office of Hamas in the capital, Doha, "no longer serves its purpose," the official stated, "The Qataris have said from the beginning of the conflict that they can only mediate when both sides demonstrate a sincere willingness to find a solution."

The Qatari official added that the decision has been communicated to Hamas, Israel, and the US administration.

"WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REQUEST"

A senior Hamas official, however, said they had not received any indication from Qatar that they needed to leave the country.

The official stated, "We have nothing to confirm or deny regarding the report published by an unidentified diplomatic source, and we have not received any request to leave Qatar."

An Israeli official also noted that they welcomed Qatar's decision to end its mediation role, stating, "This makes sense. The moment the Qataris expel Hamas, mediation will have no benefit and will become unnecessary.

Hamas is an organization that should be suppressed globally rather than being hosted urgently in any country. Israel and the US have been pressuring Qatar for some time to expel Hamas," the statement said.

DENIAL FROM QATAR

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they will continue their mediation efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari noted in a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the reports in the press claiming his country has withdrawn from mediating a ceasefire in Gaza are not accurate.

Al-Ansari stated that they had informed the parties during the recent negotiations that they would temporarily suspend mediation between Hamas and Israel if an agreement could not be reached.

Spokesperson Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar would resume its mediation efforts between the parties to end the conflict and alleviate the civilian suffering caused by the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Al-Ansari stated, "The State of Qatar will not allow mediation to be used as a tool for blackmail."

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson conveyed that the State of Qatar will continue to support the Palestinian people until they achieve an independent state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Palestinian cause remains of central importance to Qatar.

Al-Ansari also stated that the reports regarding the Hamas political office in Doha are inaccurate, noting that the purpose of the office in Qatar is to serve as a channel of communication between the relevant parties.

Stating that this channel contributed to the ceasefire last year that resulted in the exchange of women and children, Al-Ansari said that accurate information should be obtained from official sources.

News Source: İHA