Qatar resumes mediation efforts regarding Gaza ceasefire talks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Dec 2024 13:48

Qatar has resumed its mediation role in the Gaza ceasefire talks, joining the US and Egypt in ongoing but so far unsuccessful efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and hostage release.

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Palestinians mourn over relatives killed in an Israeli occupation bombardment in Nuseirat, central Gaza, as they stand in a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Palestine, November 20, 2024. (AP)

Qatar has resumed its role as a mediator in the ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire amid the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip following a brief pause, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Alongside the United States and Egypt, Qatar had previously been involved in several months of unsuccessful negotiations aimed at securing a truce and facilitating the release of hostages, after nearly 14 months of war.

The source, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks, confirmed that Qatar is once again engaged in mediation, but did not provide further details on any recent meetings.

Qatar pulls out of Gaza ceasefire talks pending sincere commitment

Earlier, on November 9, Qatar announced that it withdrew 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.