Qatar has refuted recent reports claiming it has ended its mediation role in Gaza and ordered the closure of Hamas's office in Doha. Although diplomatic efforts have paused, Qatar remains committed to resuming talks if both sides show readiness to negotiate.
Numerous media outlets, including Reuters and AFP, reported on Saturday that Qatar planned to withdraw from Gaza talks and close Hamas's office, citing unnamed sources within the U.S. administration and diplomats, reports Doha News.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, dismissed these reports on SUnday as “inaccurate,” explaining that Qatar’s role in establishing the Hamas office in 2012 was intended to support peace initiatives and communication between relevant parties. He emphasized that Qatar’s mediation efforts will resume if Israel and Hamas demonstrate “seriousness” in ending the conflict.
Al-Ansari clarified that Qatar had informed negotiating parties in late October that it would pause its efforts unless both sides showed greater commitment to peace. He also criticized attempts to use Qatar’s mediation for political leverage, stressing that “Qatar will not accept mediation as a tool for exploitation.”
Qatar has been a key mediator in the region alongside the U.S. and Egypt, including facilitating a previous week-long truce in 2023, which temporarily halted hostilities and secured the release of captives on both sides.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
