Why Qatar remains committed to the Gaza hostage-ceasefire negotiations
Qatar, a crucial mediator in the ongoing discussions to secure a hostage and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, is standing firm in its involvement despite facing backlash over its connections with the Palestinian militant organization.
Qatar's recent announcement that it is reevaluating its position as the main mediator between Israel and Hamas is a result of feeling frustrated with the criticism it has faced for its connections to the Palestinian militant group. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated on Wednesday that some parties involved in the conflict are using Qatar's mediation efforts for their own political gain, prompting the nation to reassess its role as a mediator.
Al Thani mentioned at a news conference in Doha that there are constraints to the role Qatar plays in negotiations and to their capacity to contribute positively. He acknowledged that despite ongoing discussions regarding a hostage-ceasefire being in a critical phase, his country is compelled to engage in these talks.
However, analysts believe that Qatar is not expected to withdraw completely from the negotiations.
Qatar, a strong ally of the United States, has been working closely with Washington and Egypt to help free over 100 Israeli hostages in Gaza and bring an end to the war in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a meeting in Lusail, Qatar, Friday Oct. 13, 2023. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met in Lusail, Qatar on Friday, October 13, 2023. The meeting was attended by both officials. They discussed various matters during their time together. The event was captured by Jacquelyn Martin and the photo was shared via Reuters.
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Qatar has faced criticism from Israel and its allies in the United States Congress for its alleged close ties with a militant organization and hindering negotiation progress. Despite the accusations, Doha has consistently refuted these claims since the conflict began.
Analysts believe that Qatar is in a unique position to facilitate a deal because of its connections with Hamas and its partnership with the US. Not only does Qatar host Hamas' political office, but it also houses a 10,000-troop US military base.
Experts believe that Qatar will continue its role as a mediator. Anna Jacobs, a senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group, thinks that Qatar will try to help and mediate for as long as possible. She mentioned that Qatar is worried about criticism from US politicians but has been dealing with it for a while.
Daniel Shek, a former Israeli diplomat, expressed his skepticism about Qatar stepping back from its current role. He mentioned that Qatar seems to be enjoying the attention and spotlight in the situation. Shek also noted that while there are other mediators available, Qatar is in the best position to lead the negotiation.
Qatar has had a longstanding relationship with Hamas since 2012. This connection was established after Qatar faced backlash from some Arab nations for supporting protesters during the Arab Spring who aimed to overthrow their governments.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gives a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani gives a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha on Wednesday.
American and Israeli politicians have been criticizing Qatar since the beginning of the October 7 war. This week, Qatar expressed its frustration, accusing some politicians of using the conflict to boost their election campaigns.
Some politicians are engaging in political bidding for their own narrow gains, by criticizing Qatar's role in their electoral campaigns," stated Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a news conference on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister expressed his disapproval of being told one thing in closed meetings, only to have damaging and unhelpful statements made publicly.
Israel has been raising concerns about Qatar's involvement in the negotiations for several months. In a leaked audio recording from January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his view that Doha's participation was causing issues. In response, Majid Al Ansari, the spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry, expressed shock at the comment and accused Netanyahu of hindering and sabotaging the mediation process for his own political gain.
On April 8, James Comer, the Republican chair of the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland. He claimed that Qatar has been giving Hamas $30 million every month since 2018.
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The Qatari embassy in Washington DC responded the next day, stating that Qatar does not pay Hamas and that spreading misinformation is unhelpful to the negotiations.
On Monday, Democratic US Congressman Steny Hoyer accused Qatar of "blocking" progress in the talks.
Jacobs emphasizes the significance of recognizing the American politicians who are expressing criticism. He mentions that many in Washington acknowledge the importance of Qatar's relationship with Hamas, believing that ending Qatar's role would be detrimental rather than beneficial.
In November, US President Joe Biden expressed gratitude to Qatar for its assistance in achieving a humanitarian pause, which facilitated the release of certain hostages.
Qatar is known as one of the closest allies of the United States in the Gulf region. It is home to the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the area, hosting over 10,000 American troops. Earlier this year, the US quietly agreed to extend its military presence at the base for another decade. Qatar is also recognized as a Major Non-NATO Ally and a significant energy supplier to Western countries.
Despite facing criticism for providing hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Hamas-controlled Gaza, Qatar has done so with the approval of Israel and the knowledge of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by CNN.
The Qatari prime minister's decision to reassess the country's involvement in the discussions is believed to be a way to show their frustration with the criticism, according to Jacobs.
Reporting for this article was contributed by CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali, Raja Razek, Larry Register, and Mostafa Salem.
Editor's P/S:
The article sheds light on Qatar's reevaluation of its role as a mediator in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While the nation has been a crucial facilitator in the past, it has faced criticism from Israel and its allies, leading to a sense of frustration. Qatar's decision to reassess its involvement highlights the complex challenges involved in mediating such a sensitive conflict. The article also underscores the importance of Qatar's unique position, given its close ties with both Hamas and the United States, and the potential consequences if it were to step back from its role.
Furthermore, the article discusses the allegations of financial support from Qatar to Hamas. While the Qatari government denies these claims, they have drawn scrutiny from American politicians, further complicating Qatar's position as a mediator. The article emphasizes the need for a balanced perspective, recognizing both the criticism and the importance of Qatar's role in facilitating dialogue and potentially achieving a ceasefire or other forms of conflict resolution.
