The Unprecedented Influence of Qatar in Negotiations with Hamas
Qatar's pivotal role as a mediator in talks with Hamas, following the October 7 attacks in Israel, highlights its indispensable position in global diplomacy Efforts to free hostages and evacuate foreign nationals from Gaza demonstrate Qatar's strategic approach and deepening relationship with Hamas
Qatar, the small state in the Persian Gulf, has once again taken center stage in global diplomacy. This time, it has been praised for its role in mediating agreements to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 attacks in Israel, as well as the evacuation of foreign nationals from Gaza.
According to sources familiar with the talks, on Wednesday, Qatar successfully facilitated a deal between Israel, Hamas, Egypt, and the United States. The agreement aimed to transfer foreign nationals and critically injured Palestinian civilians from Gaza to Egypt, and it should be noted that this agreement was separate from any ongoing hostage negotiations.
According to Palestinian officials at the Rafah border crossing, at least 110 individuals with foreign passports have departed from Gaza. Al-Qahera news reports that Al-Arish Hospital in Egypt has started receiving injured Palestinians who crossed from Gaza.
Qatar currently faces a delicate diplomatic situation, which experts believe has been advantageous for the country as it has positioned itself as an indispensable ally to Washington. However, there are concerns that Qatar's association with Hamas could potentially become a disadvantage.
"(Qatar's) interaction with Hamas has played a fundamental role in its mediation strategy," asserted Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at Kings College London specializing in Gulf states. "It grants Qatar exclusive control over this relationship and the conflict, since it is uniquely positioned to engage with both sides in a manner that is unparalleled by any other global actor."
People enter the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on November 1, 2023.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Foreign nationals and injured Palestinians have been given permission to leave Gaza for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war started. Qatar, a wealthy country known for its natural gas reserves, has a complex relationship with both Hamas and Israel. While being a close ally of the United States in the region, Qatar has maintained ties with Hamas and held secret communications with Israel. According to three sources familiar with the matter, David Barnea, the director of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad, visited Qatar to discuss the release of hostages over the weekend.
Currently, the Hamas-Qatar alliance seems to be yielding positive results. Alongside the departure of Palestinian civilians and foreign nationals from Gaza on Wednesday, Hamas has also released four hostages - two Israelis and two American-Israelis - thanks to Qatari and Egyptian mediation.
Israel has recognized Qatar's endeavors, as National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi commends the Gulf state for playing a vital role in facilitating humanitarian resolutions.
"Qatars diplomatic efforts are crucial at this time," Hanegbi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
What is the nature of Qatars relationship with Hamas?
Qatar faced strained relations with certain Arab neighbors following its support for the protesters aiming to overthrow Arab regimes during the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011.
The situation worsened when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in mid-2017, alleging Qatar's support for terrorism, despite Qatar's persistent denial. The countries required several years to mend their relations.
Qatar's allowance of Iran-backed Hamas to establish a political office in Doha in 2012 has provided a foundation for a significant relationship. This association has positioned Qatar as a crucial mediator during Hamas' conflicts with Israel, and the political office in Doha continues to be functional to this day.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a televised address to the nation on October 9, 2023.
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In addition to providing a $30 million monthly stipend for families and fuel for electricity in Gaza, Qatar also pays public sector salaries. This has strengthened its ties with Western nations, as it has emerged as a significant energy supplier due to being one of the largest gas producers globally. Furthermore, Qatar is a significant purchaser of arms from the United States. For several decades, it has been host to a prominent US air base and was granted the status of a Major Non-NATO Ally by the Biden administration in 2020.
But Doha was also one of the pioneer Gulf Arab nations to forge diplomatic ties with Israel in 1996, defying a longstanding regional taboo (it terminated the relationship following Israel's invasion of Gaza in 2009). Its Al Jazeera network achieved the milestone of being the inaugural pan-Arab news network to display Israel on a map and extend invitations to its officials for on-air interviews.
What is Qatars strategy in playing a mediator role?
Qatar is making an effort to establish a diplomatic presence, with the aim of preventing an Israeli military incursion in Gaza, according to Krieg. However, Israel went ahead with its full-scale ground operation on Friday, causing complications for the United States' attempts to secure the release of over 200 hostages allegedly held by Hamas, as reported by CNN. Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed CNN on Saturday that despite the escalating situation, negotiations for the hostages are persisting, albeit with increasing difficulty.
Qatar's diplomacy benefits from mediating the release of hostages abducted by Hamas, especially because some of the hostages hold European and American nationalities. This fact has prompted several countries to support Qatar's efforts, making mediation a valuable asset for the Gulf state, according to Krieg. Hiltermann also acknowledged Qatar's long-standing proficiency in mediating conflicts among international actors.
Doha successfully facilitated a significant agreement between Iran and the US in September, resulting in the liberation of five Americans held in Iranian custody. This prisoner release was a crucial aspect of a larger agreement that involved the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian funds by the US.
Additionally, Qatar assumed the role of mediator in Iran's nuclear matter, effectively enabling indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington towards the end of 2022.
In a significant mediation effort, Qatar played a critical role in the eleventh-hour evacuation of Washington from Afghanistan in 2021. The Gulf state not only facilitated the secure transportation of Americans within the country but also served as a protecting power for them in the newly established Taliban-ruled state. Qatar, which maintains diplomatic ties with the Taliban, contributed to this pivotal operation.
Has Hamas become a liability for Qatar after October 7?
Doha has faced criticisms from Israel and Western politicians due to its associations with Hamas. Despite engaging in mediation efforts, last week Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused Qatar of both funding Hamas and providing shelter to its leaders.
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"Cohen, speaking at a prestigious United Nations gathering, urged the international community to exert pressure on Qatar, known for funding and providing refuge to Hamas leaders, in order to exert influence and facilitate the swift and unconditional release of all hostages currently detained by the terrorists."
Qatar expressed its surprise and disappointment at the comments made by Israeli ministers, particularly given the ongoing efforts to secure the release of captives and reduce tensions. Qatar further cautioned that these provocative statements have the potential to hinder mediation efforts and pose a threat to lives.
Krieg stated that many Qataris have their own doubts about Hamas privately. He also mentioned that Qatar's connection with Hamas might require a reevaluation. According to four diplomats familiar with the talks, The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the US and Qatar have agreed to review Doha's affiliation with Hamas once the hostage crisis is resolved.
The agreement was reached in a recent meeting in Doha between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the emir of Qatar, according to the Washington Post. It is uncertain whether this reassessment will result in a departure of Hamas leaders from Qatar. Krieg suggests that Qatar is unlikely to expel Hamas, but is likely to distance itself from the group, similar to its approach with the Taliban, who also have an office in Doha.
Joost R. Hiltermann, the director of the Middle East North Africa program at the International Crisis Group think tank in Brussels, commends Qatar for its outstanding mediation efforts. However, a political bloc in the US expresses discontent regarding Qatar's close relationship with Hamas. As a result, two Republican members of Congress urge Qatar to extradite the leadership of Hamas from Doha.
Hiltermann emphasized that Qatar should not succumb to the pressure of dissociating from Hamas as it would prove counterproductive, potentially causing Hamas to align itself more closely with Iran.
"It would mean losing valuable connections," he explained. "These connections can prove beneficial in the times to come."
Israel has expressed its intention to completely eradicate Hamas to ensure that it no longer poses a threat, potentially affecting Qatar's role as a mediator. This report includes contributions from Becky Anderson in Doha, Ibrahim Dahman in Gaza, Hamdi Alkhshali in Atlanta, and Aimee Look in Abu Dhabi, CNN.
