Qatar Pulls Out of Gaza Ceasefire Talks Pending Sincere Commitment

Qatar has withdrawn from its role as a primary mediator in ceasefire and prisoner swap negotiations between the Israeli occupation and Hamas, citing a lack of genuine commitment to negotiation, a diplomatic source informed AFP on Saturday.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, had been working for months to broker a truce that would include the release of captives and detainees, but these efforts have yet to yield progress.

“The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. As a result, Qatar conveyed to Hamas that its political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose.”

Qatar’s decision has been officially communicated to both the Israeli occupation and Hamas, as well as to the US administration. The source noted that Qatar was open to re-engaging in mediation if both parties demonstrated a sincere commitment to returning to negotiations.

Hamas’ political bureau in Qatar, however, had not “received any request from the authorities to leave the country,” a senior source in the movement told the Russian Ria Novosti.

“We have nothing to confirm or deny regarding what was published by an unidentified diplomatic source and we have not received any request to leave Qatar,” the official said from Doha, after a diplomatic source told AFP.

‘Pre-existing plans’

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had underlined in October that the Israeli occupation was deliberately expanding the Middle East conflict as part of “pre-existing plans” targeting the occupied West Bank and Lebanon.

In an address to Qatar’s Shura Council, Sheikh Tamim indicated that “the easiest and safest way to stop the escalation on the border with Lebanon would have been to stop the war of extermination on Gaza.”

“But Israel deliberately chose to expand the aggression to implement pre-existing plans in other locations such as the West Bank and Lebanon because it sees that the atmosphere [of inaction against it] would allow it,” he said.

“Destruction will not work with the steadfast Palestinian people who are clinging to their legitimate rights,” Sheikh Tamim underscored.

‘Israel’ seeks extended war

A similar sentiment was declared by Hamas political bureau member Izzat al-Rish, who underlined earlier in November that the Israeli occupation’s recent ceasefire proposals for a few days in Gaza are merely “for throwing dust in the eyes,” noting that they do not include a halt to aggression, a withdrawal, or the return of displaced people.

In parallel, al-Rishq underscored, “We are open to any proposals or ideas that ensure the end of aggression and the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza,” adding that “the concerted roles game between the occupation and the US administration continues in Lebanon, just as it does in Gaza.”

On Saturday, al-Rishq explained that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stalling with the aim of buying time and has been using negotiations as a coverup to pursue his aggression.