The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that reports about Qatar withdrawing from its mediation role in Gaza are “inaccurate.” It noted that Qatar informed all parties ten days ago that it would suspend its mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel if no agreement was reached. A ministry statement clarified that Qatar would “resume its efforts with partners when there is a serious commitment to ending the war.” Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stated, “Qatar’s mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel are currently suspended. When serious efforts to end the war arise, we will lead efforts to conclude the conflict and secure the return of hostages and detainees.” He also dismissed reports about the Hamas office in Doha as “inaccurate,” emphasizing that the office’s primary purpose is to serve as a communication channel between concerned parties.
A senior U.S. official told Reuters that the United States had informed Qatar that Hamas’s presence in Doha was no longer acceptable. He explained, “After Hamas repeatedly rejected proposals to release hostages, its leaders can no longer be welcomed in the capitals of any U.S. partners. We made this clear to Qatar following Hamas’s rejection of another proposal several weeks ago.” According to the official, Qatar conveyed this message to Hamas leaders about ten days ago. However, three Hamas officials denied that Qatar had informed them they were no longer welcome.
Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012, when then-leader Khaled Meshaal relocated from Syria to Doha following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war and Hamas’s support for the opposition. According to several American and Qatari officials, the U.S. requested Qatar to host the Hamas office to establish an indirect communication channel to ease tensions between Palestinians and Israel. However, Qatar has faced repeated Israeli criticism, especially from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Qatar of funding Hamas and demanded in January that it pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
Despite these criticisms, Qatari officials have emphasized their commitment to mediation efforts. Qatar has repeatedly faced accusations from both Israeli and American officials, with Netanyahu alleging that Qatar prolongs the conflict. Qatar’s Foreign Minister dismissed Netanyahu’s statements as attempts to delay the war, reiterating Qatar’s dedication to ending the crisis through negotiation.
Given the current context—where even after Yahya Sinwar’s assassination, Hamas remains committed to the July 2nd plan based on Biden’s framework—Qatar realizes that a resolution is unlikely, particularly before Trump’s potential return to the White House. Trump has been openly critical of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. After Sinwar’s assassination, Hamas established a five-member leadership council, including Khalil al-Hayya, tasked with negotiating hostage releases and ceasefire terms.
Qatar understands that without serious negotiation prospects with Hamas’s military leadership in Gaza, a near-term agreement is unlikely. This recognition influences Qatar’s decision-making, especially with potential new U.S. sanctions on Iran looming under Trump’s leadership.
Since the war began, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on senior Hamas officials in Qatar. In response, Qatar has pointed out that the Obama administration originally advocated hosting Hamas in Doha to engage the group and limit Iranian influence—a strategy that has since been called into question. The U.S. is also considering additional sanctions on leaders like Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya. Expelling Hamas’s leadership from Qatar would signify a significant policy shift, as Qatar has historically viewed Hamas as a legitimate governing entity within the broader context of “political Islam.”
Ultimately, Qatar appears to be reconsidering Hamas’s presence on its soil ahead of a potential Trump presidency. This move aims to avoid confrontation with a more assertive U.S. stance on Iran and its proxies under Trump, signaling Qatar’s intent to realign its policies accordingly.
