Qatar has withdrawn as a key mediator Gaza ceasefire and the hostage deal and warned Hamas that its Doha office “no longer serves its purpose”, a diplomatic source told AFP on Saturday. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, have been engaged in months of fruitless negotiations for a ceasefire with a hostage and prisoner release.
“The Qataris have informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as a deal is rejected in good faith, they cannot continue with mediation,” the source said on condition of anonymity. “As a result, the political office of Hamas no longer serves its purpose,” the source said.
“The Qataris have informed the US administration that they are prepared to re-engage in mediation when both sides … demonstrate a sincere desire to return to the negotiating table.”
Qatar, which is home to a major US military base, has hosted the political leadership of Hamas since 2012 with Washington’s blessing.