Qatar denies withdrawal from Gaza ceasefire talks, reaffirms mediation

Doha: Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected reports claiming that the country has pulled out of mediation efforts in the Gaza ceasefire talks. In a statement issued on Saturday night, Qatar's foreign affairs spokesperson, Majid Ansari, clarified that while the mediation between Israel and Hamas is temporarily paused, it will continue if both sides show sincere willingness to negotiate a peace deal.

The clarification came after international media outlets reported that Qatar was withdrawing from its role in the ongoing ceasefire discussions. Ansari emphasized that the suspension of mediation was a necessary step after both parties were informed that the process would cease unless an agreement was reached in the most recent round of talks, which took place 10 days ago. However, Qatar remains open to resuming the dialogue if approached in good faith by both Israel and Hamas.

Furthermore, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied recent media claims about the closure of the Hamas Political Affairs Office in Doha. The Ministry stated that the office continues to serve as a crucial communication center for mediation efforts. This office has been instrumental in previous peace initiatives, including last November’s temporary ceasefire in Gaza, which led to the release of women and children held by Hamas.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023, Qatar has been an active mediator, working closely with the United States to facilitate ceasefire efforts and promote regional peace. Despite the ongoing challenges, Qatar's commitment to facilitating dialogue remains steadfast, with hopes that both parties will return to the negotiating table.