DOHA, Qatar, May 4 ― Qatar may shut the political office of Hamas as half of a broader assessment of its position as a mediator in the battle between Israel and the the Palestinian group, in accordance to an official conversant in the Qatari authorities’s reassessment.
The Gulf state was weighing whether to permit Hamas to proceed working the political office, and the broader assessment contains contemplating whether or not to proceed mediating in the seven-month battle, the official instructed eNM.
Qatar stated final month it was reevaluating its position as mediator in oblique talks between Israel and Hamas, citing issues that its efforts have been being undermined by politicians searching for to rating factors.
“If Qatar isn’t going to be mediating, they gained’t see some extent in holding the political office. So that could be a half of the reassessment,” the official stated, talking on situation of anonymity.
The official didn’t know if Hamas could be requested to go away Doha if the Qatari authorities did determine to shut the group’s office. However, the official did say Qatar’s personal assessment of
its position could be influenced by how Israel and Hamas act through the ongoing negotiations.
In a report yesterday, The Washington Post cited an unnamed US official as saying Washington had instructed Doha to expel Hamas if the group continues to reject a ceasefire cope with Israel.
Hamas negotiators arrived in Cairo right this moment for intensified talks on a potential Gaza truce that may see the return to Israel of some hostages, a Hamas official instructed eNM.
File picture of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assembly with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024. ― eNM pic
Hamas political leaders
Qatar has hosted Hamas’ political leaders since 2012 as half of an settlement with the US.
Ismail Haniyeh, the group’s chief, lives in Doha and has traveled regularly, together with to Turkiye, because the lethal Hamas raid on southern Israel on October 7.
Qatar, an influential Gulf state that’s designated as main non-Nato ally by Washington, has come below criticism from inside the United States and Israel over its ties to Hamas since October 7.
Some 1,200 individuals have been killed in the October 7 assault and 253 others have been kidnapped, of whom 133 are believed to stay in captivity in Gaza, in accordance to Israeli tallies. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ensuing army onslaught on the Gaza Strip, say well being officers in the Hamas-ruled enclave.
Some US lawmakers have known as on President Joe Biden’s administration to re-evaluate its ties with Qatar if it doesn’t stress Hamas to make a deal to launch hostages. Others have urged Qatar to reduce ties with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has additionally known as for Qatar to stress Hamas. Qatar and Israel should not have formal ties however their officers meet to talk about the mediation efforts. ― eNM
