Qatar, a small but influential Gulf gas monarchy, has withdrawn its mediation between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas, after months of unsuccessful efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip where 43,500 people have died since the 7 October 2023. Furthermore, according to a diplomatic source, the Qatari authorities have indicated that the Hamas office in Doha no longer has any reason to exist
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This decision follows an American request. The United States has in fact informed Qatar that the presence of Hamas in Doha was no longer acceptable after the rejection by the Palestinian group of the latest proposal aimed at obtaining the release of the Israeli hostages it has held since its attack of October 7, 2023 in Israel.
Also read: Israel-Hamas war: Martyred Gaza awaits a truce that does not come
According to a senior official in Joe Biden's administration, after repeatedly rejecting offers to release hostages, Hamas leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any U.S. partner. We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas rejected another hostage release proposal a few weeks ago
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Qatar transmitted this demand to the leaders of the Palestinian movement around ten days ago. A Hamas official confirmed on Friday 1is November, having refused to study a proposal for a short truce in the Gaza Strip from the mediating countries – the United States, Egypt and Qatar – because it did not include a permanent ceasefire.
Only one truce since October 2023
With the United States and Egypt, Qatar had mediated between the two belligerents since a single truce in the conflict in November 2023 which lasted a week and allowed the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for prisoners Palestinians detained by Israel. Since then, numerous negotiating sessions have taken place without any results.
