The Middle East country Qatar has announced that it will temporarily withdraw from the role of mediator in the ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
But the country’s officials said they were willing to return to the role of mediator if Israel and Hamas “show sincerity” about the ceasefire.
In addition, Qatar said that no decision has been made regarding the transfer of the Hamas office from Doha.
“Ten days before the last attempt to reach an agreement (on a cease-fire in Gaza), all parties were informed that Qatar would stop mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel if they could not agree on an agreement during that period,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added, “Qatar will resume those (mediation) efforts if both (Hamas-Israel) sides show goodwill and seriousness about ending the brutal war.”
A century ago, in 2012, Qatar allowed Hamas to set up a political office in the capital Doha at the request of the then US President Barack Obama administration.
Several media outlets reported on Saturday that Qatar had agreed with the United States to close the armed group’s political office in Doha over its rejection of an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza.
Qatar’s announcement came as senior US officials accused the militant group Hamas of rejecting new proposals to end the Gaza war.
They have also informed that the presence of Hamas representatives in Qatar will not be accepted due to the rejection of the proposal.
Source: bbc