Qatar Denies Reports Of Withdrawing From Israel-Hamas Mediation Talks

Qatar stated that it will resume its efforts with its partners once the parties demonstrate “willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war”.

Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari pointed out that media reports about the Hamas political office in Doha were inaccurate.

Source : X/@MofaQatar_EN

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied media reports regarding the country’s withdrawal from mediation talks between Israel and Hamas. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, said that reports regarding “the State of Qatar's withdrawal from mediation regarding the ceasefire in Gaza are not accurate”. 

Qatar in its official statement said that it notified the parties 10 days ago during their last attempts to reach an agreement, that it would stall its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel if an agreement was not reached in that round. The country stated that it will resume its efforts with its partners once the parties demonstrate “willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war” and alleviate the suffering of civilians caused by catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. Qatar emphasised that it will be at the forefront of making every possible effort to end the war and facilitate the return of the hostages and prisoners.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari : Qatar's efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel are currently stalled #MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/pvHFKuxqA2

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) November 9, 2024

Dr Al-Ansari stressed, in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), that "Qatar will not accept that mediation be a reason for blackmailing it, as we have witnessed manipulation since the collapse of the first pause and the women and children exchange deal. Qatar expressed its disapproval of the retreat from obligations that were agreed upon through mediation and pointed out its concerns over the exploitation of ongoing negotiations to justify the continuation of the war for narrow political gains.

He also pointed out that media reports about the Hamas political office in Doha were inaccurate. He stressed that the office’s primary function is to serve as “a communication channel for concerned parties this channel has contributed to achieving a ceasefire in previous stages, and contributed to maintaining calm in the [Gaza] Strip”.

According to a BBC report, since 2012 Hamas has had a base in Doha, reportedly at the request of the Obama administration. On Saturday, several news agencies reported that Qatar had agreed with the US to tell Hamas to close its political office due to “a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith”.

As per a CNN report, Qatar alongside the US and Egypt has been a major player in efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war, and since the senior members of Hamas are based in Doha, major negotiations have taken place at the city.

Hamas has repeatedly called for an end to the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as a condition for any cease-fire deal. Israel seeks the return of all hostages taken in Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and insists on a presence in Gaza.