Qatar announced on Saturday that it has suspended its mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel due to frustration over stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. It remains unclear if the remaining Hamas leaders hosted in Qatar will need to leave or where they would relocate, though Hamas maintains connections with Iran, Turkey, and has some leaders based in Lebanon.
A senior Egyptian official, representing Egypt as a co-mediator, stated that Qatar may resume its role if both sides demonstrate “serious political willingness” to reach an agreement.
According to a diplomatic source, Qatar informed both Israel and Hamas it would cease mediation “as long as there is a refusal to negotiate in good faith.” Qatar reportedly told Hamas that if it continues to resist serious talks, its political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose.”
U.S. officials revealed that the Biden administration had advised Qatar two weeks prior to consider closing the Hamas office in Doha. Qatar accepted this recommendation, informing the Hamas delegation of its decision about 10 days ago. A senior Hamas official acknowledged Qatar’s decision but noted that no directive to leave had been received. Hamas has repeatedly demanded an end to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as prerequisites for any ceasefire, while Israel insists on the release of all hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack.
Late Saturday, Qatar’s state news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, confirming that Doha had alerted both parties it would “stall its efforts” if no agreement was reached. Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar would resume its mediation efforts once “the parties show willingness and seriousness” to end the conflict.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah facilities, including command centers, following escalations in the region. In Gaza, ongoing Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people on Saturday, with casualties including journalists, women, and children. Palestinian medical officials reported an Israeli strike on a school shelter in Gaza City’s Tufah neighborhood that killed at least six people.
