Qatar has denied reports that it is withdrawing from mediation efforts in the Gaza Strip. They said that ceasefire efforts have stalled. In addition, the country said that the reports that the leaders of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas have been asked to leave Qatar are not true.
In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari said, “The news that Qatar is withdrawing itself from the mediation of the Gaza ceasefire is not true.”
He also said, “Qatar told the parties 10 days ago during the last attempt to reach an agreement that if there is no agreement this time, it will suspend mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel.”
The statement said Doha would “join its partners only when the parties are willing and sincere to end the brutal war.”
The spokesman said Qatar “will not accept mediation as a reason to blackmail it.”
Al Ansari also said that the news of closing the political office of Hamas in Doha is not true. He said, the main purpose of this office is to ‘make communication arrangements’ between the concerned parties. He said that ceasefire was achieved in the past by using this channel.
He emphasized that there is a need to get information from government sources.
Earlier, various international media reported that Qatar is withdrawing from the position of mediating the ceasefire in Gaza. It is also said that Qatar will refrain from brokering a cease-fire deal in Gaza until Hamas and Israel demonstrate a ‘sincere desire’ to return to the negotiating table. It is believed to be the biggest setback in efforts to reach a ceasefire since the war began.
The Gulf state has concluded that Hamas’s political office in Doha “is no longer serving its purpose,” an official told Reuters. This is a major blow to the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Note that the top leaders of the group were killed by Israel.
“Qatar has been saying since the beginning of the conflict that it can only mediate when both sides show a genuine interest in finding a solution,” the official said. He added that Qatar has informed Hamas, Israel and the US administration about its decision.
A US official said on Friday that Hamas’ presence in Doha is no longer acceptable after rejecting the latest proposals for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.
Source: dailynayadiganta