Harun Nasrullah
Qatar has announced a temporary suspension of its role in mediating ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, clarifying that it will resume involvement only if both parties “show their willingness” to negotiate. Reports in the media have indicated that US officials urged Qatar to discontinue hosting Hamas representatives, as the Biden Administration aims to progress toward a deal before January.
However, Qatar refuted claims that it had fully withdrawn from mediation or that Hamas’s political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose,” labelling such reports as “inaccurate.”
In a statement from the Qatari foreign ministry on November 9, it explained, “Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago, during the last attempts to reach an agreement, that it would stall its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel if an agreement was not reached in that round.” The ministry further stated, “Qatar will resume those efforts… when the parties show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war.”
Hamas has maintained a base in Doha since 2012, reportedly with initial US approval under the Obama Administration.
Some reports suggested that Qatar yielded to US pressure by instructing Hamas to close its political office in Doha due to a perceived “refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith.” Qatar’s foreign ministry denied these reports, a stance also shared by Hamas officials.
Qatar, which is a close US ally and hosts a major American air base, has been involved in other high-stakes negotiations with parties including Iran, the Taliban, and Russia.
In the most recent round of talks in mid-October, no agreement was reached, as Hamas turned down a short-term ceasefire proposal, reiterating its demand for an end to the conflict and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The Qatari foreign ministry reiterated, “Media reports regarding the Hamas office in Doha is inaccurate,” adding that “the main goal of the office in Qatar is to be a channel of communication… [which] has contributed to achieving a ceasefire in previous stages.”
Former Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, (dismissed earlier in the month), accused Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of rejecting a peace deal against security officials’ recommendations.
If Hamas were to be asked to leave Doha, it is uncertain where the group might relocate its political office. Although Iran, a key ally, could be an option, the recent assassination of former Hamas leader Haniyeh in Tehran in July raises security concerns. Iran may also lack the diplomatic access to the West that Doha provides.
A more probable option might be Turkey. As a NATO member, it could offer a safe base. Last April, President Erdogan hosted then-Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul, where they discussed efforts to ensure humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and a fair peace process.
Key Hamas members such as Osama Hamdan and Taher al-Nunu have been in Istanbul for over a month, marking a shift from past short visits to an extended stay.
Photo: Leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh (L) makes a speech during Qatar National Day celebrations organised by Qatari Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza in Khan Yunis, Gaza on December 19, 2017. (Credit:Mustafa Hassona/AA)
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