Photo credit: BBC
Qatar has suspended its work as a mediator in ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas.
BBC reports that Qatar said it will resume when Hamas and Israel “show their willingness” to negotiate.
Qatar’s new stance comes after senior US officials reportedly said The US would no longer accept the presence of Hamas representatives in Qatar. They accused the group of rejecting fresh proposals for an end to the war in Gaza.
A statement from the Qatari foreign ministry said, “Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago, during the last attempts to reach an agreement, that it would stall its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel if an agreement was not reached in that round.
“Qatar will resume those efforts… when the parties show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war.”
Several news agencies reported on Saturday that Qatar agreed with the US to tell Hamas to close its political office in Doha due to “a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith.”
However, foreign ministry reports said the reports were “inaccurate.” Hamas officials have also denied the claims.
