Qatar Pauses Its Gaza Cease-Fire Mediator Role

The Qatari Foreign Ministry has temporarily suspended its mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas conflict, stating that it will only resume its role as an intermediary once there is a serious commitment to ending the ongoing war. The Ministry clarified that they have not completely withdrawn from the peace process but have put a pause on their involvement in cease-fire discussions. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been working together to bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Talks on a phased framework for a permanent cease-fire stalled in August, and recent efforts to reach a temporary cease-fire have not yet resulted in a deal. The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasized their commitment to supporting the Palestinian people until they achieve their rights, including an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They expressed concerns about negotiations being used for political purposes and stated that they will not tolerate any attempts at blackmail. The Ministry also addressed reports of pressure from the U.S. government to close a Hamas political office in Doha, calling them inaccurate and highlighting the office’s past contributions to negotiations.

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