Qatar tells Hamas it won’t host group’s political office unless Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel improve
The Gulf country also said it would stop trying to mediate a ceasefire deal until the two sides “demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table with the objective of putting an end to the war and the suffering of civilians”.
Qatar has told Hamas that it will no longer host its political office unless the militant group and Israel engage in constructive and meaningful talks.
The Gulf country will stop trying to mediate a ceasefire deal until Hamas and Israel “demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table with the objective of putting an end to the war and the suffering of civilians”, a Qatari diplomatic source briefed on the matter said.
The Hamas political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose”, the source added.
Qatar has served as a mediator between the two sides since the conflict began last October after Hamas’s attacks on Israel, which prompted Israel to respond in Gaza.
It was involved in conversations that led to a temporary ceasefire last year and the release of some hostages taken by Hamas.
“The Qataris took this decision after both sides repeatedly refused to participate in the negotiations except on their conditions without showing willingness to engage constructively,” the source said.
“The Qataris have concluded that there is insufficient willingness from either side, with the mediation efforts becoming more about politics and elections rather than a serious attempt to secure peace.”
For this reason, the source said, Qatar has informed both Israel and Hamas it cannot continue to mediate.
The latest round of talks last month failed to secure a deal, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal.
Read more:
Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 40
Tens of thousands forced to flee Lebanon
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Hamas denied that it was leaving Qatar, calling such claims “baseless”.
“The relationship between Hamas and Qatar is a strong relationship based on respect, cooperation and coordination in what serves the Palestinian cause,” said Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas political bureau official.
The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the fighting began has risen to 43,552, the Hamas-run health ministry there said on Saturday.
When Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, it took around 250 hostages and killed 1,200 people. More than 90 of the hostages are still being held in Gaza.
