Israel Times: Qatar Ends Its Mediator Role Between Israel and Hamas

The Israeli newspaper 'Times of Israel' reported on Saturday, November 10, citing an 'informed non-American diplomat', that Qatar has decided to end its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. The unnamed diplomat confirmed that Doha informed Hamas officials to leave the country at the end of last month. According to him, Qatar made this decision because it concluded that, given Israel and Hamas's refusal to negotiate 'in good faith', it could no longer serve as a mediator between them. The diplomat added that since Qatar no longer wants to play the mediator role, it sees no reason for Hamas officials to remain in the country. He believes that ceasefire negotiations and the release of hostages have become more of a topic for 'politics and elections' for both Israel and Hamas rather than a 'serious effort to achieve peace', and that both sides have retreated from their commitments during negotiations. The publication of this news comes as Yoav Gallant, the former Israeli defense minister, recently told families of hostages abducted to Gaza that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues the war in Gaza for political purposes. According to the Times of Israel, when Qatar decided to end its mediation role and expel Hamas officials from the country, it first informed the United States and Egypt, and then Hamas officials. The diplomat stated that no timeline has been provided for Hamas's departure from Doha, and it cannot be implemented overnight. He noted that Qatar's decision is not necessarily permanent and could change if Israel and Hamas express a sincere willingness to negotiate in good faith. This 'non-American' diplomat mentioned that Qatar had also expelled Hamas officials in April, but both the United States and Israel had asked Doha to bring them back to resume negotiations. He believes that after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Hamas officials will once again go to Turkey. This situation will place Turkey in a difficult position as the Biden administration has explicitly stated that it does not want any of Washington's allies to host Hamas. The diplomat's remarks come as the Times of Israel reported that after the United States requested Qatari leaders to cut ties and cooperation with Hamas leaders, Doha informed the Palestinian group that it must quickly close its diplomatic office. Additionally, a U.S. official told the Times of Israel that the killing of Hersh Goldberg Polin, an American-Israeli hostage, by Hamas in late August and the group's rejection of recent ceasefire proposals convinced the Biden administration to prevent Hamas leaders from continuing their presence in Doha and to change its approach towards them. According to this U.S. official, two weeks ago, the United States asked Qatar to expel Hamas, and Doha agreed to implement this request by the end of this month and the first ten days of December. On the other hand, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker wrote on social media 'X' on Friday, November 10, 'My colleagues and I have pressured the Biden administration to change its policy towards Qatar.' He added, 'The defeat of Hamas is within reach, and securing a safe haven for their leadership outside the country is critical for this defeat.' Qatar has hosted Hamas officials in Doha since 2012. U.S. administrations have welcomed this presence as a 'communication channel with this terrorist group.' It is said that after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 6 last year, the United States informed Qatari leaders that they could not maintain their previous approach with this terrorist group. However, it was preferred to use the presence of Hamas's office in Doha for negotiations towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages. During this time, the U.S. also filed charges against some Hamas officials, including Khaled Mashal, one of the group's senior leaders residing in Doha. U.S. officials emphasized that Hamas leaders should not be welcomed in the capitals of U.S. allies after repeatedly rejecting proposals for the release of hostages. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has played a significant role in holding multiple rounds of negotiations for establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by this group in the Gaza Strip; negotiations that have so far been fruitless. In the last round of negotiations in Doha last month, Hamas rejected a short-term ceasefire proposal, and the talks did not reach a conclusion. After the rejection of the hostage exchange agreement, the U.S. called for the expulsion of Hamas members from Qatar.