Qatar has disclosed that it ended the mediation it started with Israel and Hamas over the current conflict between the two nations. A diplomatic source who spoke about the mediation disclosed that it has been halted because both sides have shown an unwillingness to engage constructively.
It was noted that the participation of Qatar in the mediation process relies on the willingness of the two nations to accept to engage in the negotiations and are also ready to bring an end to the conflict that has lasted for over a year, some of the officials of Qatar have disclosed that it has discovered that some of the officials have seen the negotiations to be more focused on optics than peace efforts.
After heavy pressure from the US, the Qatari officials told the Hamas political bureau that they were no longer welcome in the country because of the frustration that had come up after the ceasefire negotiation with Israel. The development t3was confirmed by a senior U.S. administration official and two diplomats who spoke are familer with the matter.
The officials disclosed that the Hamas officials have been told that if the issues continue, they will no longer be hosted in the country.
One of the diplomats who spoke with NBC on Saturday morning disclosed that Qatar had been frustrated with the turnout of events, especially the lack of progress with the negotiations, which were aimed at a cease-fire by both Hamas and Israel. The Diplomat also disclosed that the government of Qatar has told both Hamas and Israel that they could not continue to mediate towards a ceasefire if they decline to negotiate in good faith.
There has not been any disclosure of any deadline that has been given to the two sides, but the diplomates have confirmed that they have been told to leave or where to go.
Qatar’s negotiation has been one of the critical efforts by the Biden Administration, which has been aimed at getting a good deal before Biden exits office in January when Trump will take over after winning the election.
A senior U.S. administration official, while speaking on Friday, disclosed that the US had told Qatar to kick out Hamas after it rejected an offer for a ceasefire after the leader, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Isreal forces; the kick order was given to two weeks ago the official said.
The official confirmed that the official went on to agree and told Hamas of the decision of the decision about ten days ago. The officials went on to claim that Hamas is a terrorist group who have killed Americans in the past and still held Americans hostage after a series of proposals to release them, the official said. The official went on to state that leaders should not be welcomed in any capital that is a partner of America.
According to one of the diplomats briefed on the matter, once the Qataris had made their decision, they notified Israel, Hamas, and the U.S. administration. The officials noted that Hamas and Israel’s officials were informed of the decision as soon as it was made and also given an advanced warning by the government.
A Hamas official who was approved for a comment failed to respond, and the Israeli government was not available for any comment.
In a publication on X, Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansar, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the report disclosed there was an office of Hamas in Doha was false. He added that the purpose of the office has been channelled to communication between the two parties that have been concerned. He also noted that the efforts that the Qatar government has been using to negotiate have currently stalled.
Since the conflict, which has resulted in the war in Gaza, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has been a key figure in ensuring that there was a resolution to the crisis; he has engaged in talks with Hamas and Israel, alongside Egypt and the U.S.
It has been noted that the hosting of Hamas representatives in Qatar has been seen as an advantage by the people who have engaged in the negotiations. In the past, the country has seen a high level of pressure coming from the US. The pressure has been due to the willingness of the Biden administration to agree on a ceasefire before leaving office in January. It has been noted that the administration is trying to force them to decide.
Meanwhile, Qatari leaders face the prospect of a hawkish Trump presidency and more powerful Republican lawmakers with little tolerance for rounds of unsuccessful talks or patience with the kingdom’s role as a go-between for militants.
It has been disclosed that one of the reasons the US has told Qatar to send to Hamas was also related to the death of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, which has come in the middle of unsealing of indictments for Hamas leaders, including Khaled Meshal, who is known to be living in Qatar.
The efforts by the US to release the hostages have been active as they have believed that the decision to send out Hamas from Doha will be able to put more pressure on the organization to release the hostages.
It was noted by a senior U.S. official that Qatar has played an invaluable role in helping to mediate a hostage deal and was instrumental in securing the release of nearly 200 hostages last year. However, following Hamas’ repeated refusal to release even a small number of hostages, including most recently during meetings in Cairo, their continued presence in Doha is no longer viable or acceptable.
It was confirmed that about 250 people were taken hostage during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terror attack, which killed around 1,200. Of those, about 100 remain in imprisonment, with a third believed to be dead. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in the ensuing war, and Israeli forces have destroyed much of the blockaded enclave.
The two diplomats who spoke with the press disclosed that the official communication was passed to Hamas in April, asking them to relocate from Qatar, but they failed to compile the directive, and the decision was subsequently reversed. They had also tried to agree a hostage deal, the officials said,
One diplomat stated that the Biden Administration and the Israeli government asked Qatar to bring them back to Qatar because they needed to continue the talks and couldn’t do it while in Turkey.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who is running to be Senate leader, co-sponsored a bill this year calling on the U.S. to reconsider Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally Status. Scott argued that Qatar has not been a good ally or partner to the United States for years. He noted that the recent dealing with Hamas has shown the attitude.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have also criticized Qatar for not forcing Hamas into an agreement. Earlier this year, Qatar supported its role in negotiations, with its embassy in Washington issuing a statement saying that Doha’s capacity as mediator “exists only because they were asked by the United States in 2012 to play this role.
