Reuters reports:

Qatar will stop trying to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until Hamas and Israel are willing to resume talks, an official briefed on the matter said, while also casting doubt on the continued presence of Hamas’ political office in Doha.

The Gulf country has been working alongside the United States and Egypt on months of so-far fruitless talks between the warring sides in Gaza and its withdrawal from that process would further complicate efforts to reach a deal.

Qatar has hosted Hamas political leaders since 2012 as part of a deal with the United States, and the militant Palestinian group’s presence there was seen to have facilitated the progress of talks.

The war erupted when Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing another 253 as hostages. Israel’s military campaign has levelled much of Gaza and killed around 43,500 Palestinians.

Qatar told Hamas, Israel and the U.S. administration it would be willing to resume its negotiating role if Hamas and Israel “demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiation table with the objective of putting an end to the war,” the official said.

Doha has also concluded that Hamas’ political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose”, the official added, in a further blow to the group whose top leaders have been assassinated by Israel. [Continue reading…]