Qatar is no longer in mediation talks for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. A country official said on Saturday that the decision would remain in place until Hamas and Israel show a sincere interest in returning to the negotiating table. British news agency Reuters reported this.
The official said it was made clear from the beginning that Qatar would only agree to mediate if both sides were genuinely interested in ending the war.
The small but influential Gulf country feels that there is no need for Hamas's political office in Doha. It could come as a major blow to the group, which has already lost many of its top leaders to Israeli attacks.
Qatar, the United States and Egypt were negotiating a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. So far the talks have yielded no results. The latest talks, held in mid-October, also ended without an agreement. Because Hamas rejected the proposal for a short-term ceasefire.
The official added that Qatar would only come to mediate if Hamas and Israel show a sincere desire to return to negotiations after the end of the war. Their decision has been communicated to Hamas, Israel and the United States.
Hamas has not officially responded.
A Palestinian official involved in the mediation said that so far this is only information circulated in the media. The Palestinian group will not comment on the matter until Qatar officially informs Hamas of the decision.
Earlier, a US official said on Friday that Washington found Hamas' presence in Qatar unacceptable after rejecting proposals for a cease-fire and hostage release deal.
It should be noted that the country's government started reconsidering the presence of Hamas in Qatar in April. After that, Hamas leaders left for Turkey. The Biden administration and the Israeli government urged Qatar to return them. Because the talks were not working during the stay in Turkey.
Qatar, a key non-NATO ally from Washington, has been harboring Hamas political leaders since 2012.
It is unclear how many Hamas officials are stationed in Doha. However, among them are Khalil Al-Haya and Khaled Meshal, the deputy of Yahya Sinawwar, who is known as the diplomatic face of Hamas.
