Qatar has stepped down as a primary mediator in efforts for a ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza, informing Hamas that its office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose,” according to a diplomatic source speaking with AFP on Saturday.
“The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate. As a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose,” the source said.
As per the AFP report, Qatar had already “notified both sides, Israel and Hamas as well as the US administration” about its decision.
“The Qataris conveyed to the US administration that they would be ready to re-engage in mediation when both sides… demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table,” the source said.
No specific date has been set for Hamas’s departure from Doha, and according to a diplomat cited by The Times of Israel, such a move will not happen immediately. The diplomat further noted that Qatar’s decision isn’t necessarily final and might change if both sides show a commitment to fair negotiations.
An official from Hamas, however, has stated to AFP that they have “not received request” to leave Qatar.
For months, Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has engaged in talks aimed at reaching a truce and arranging hostage and prisoner releases, though without success.
In April, Qatar announced it was reconsidering its role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict, facing criticism from US and Israeli politicians.
At that point, Qatar conveyed a similar position concerning the presence of the Hamas office, leading Hamas officials to temporarily relocate to Turkey, according to a diplomatic source.
However, after two weeks, they returned at the request of both the United States and Israel, as negotiations were reportedly “ineffective” while they were based in Turkey, the source added.
Aside from a one-week ceasefire late last year, which saw many hostages held by Hamas released, repeated negotiation efforts have been unable to end the war.
(With inputs from agencies)