Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday (Nov. 9) that the nation has paused its role as a key mediator between Israel and Hamas. Citing a lack of “seriousness” on the part of both sides in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal, Qatar said it had warned both Israel and Hamas “10 days ago.” The nation has also revealed its conditions for the resumption of vital talks.

According to Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari, “Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago, during the latest attempts to reach an agreement, that it would paralyze its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel if an agreement was not reached. agreement in that round.” .

This decision to withdraw comes after months of diplomatic stalemate, mediated with the support of Cairo and Washington, and the breakdown of a temporary truce reached in November 2023.

Majed Al Ansari said that “Qatar would resume such efforts… when the parties demonstrate their will and seriousness.”

Speaking to AFP, an anonymous diplomatic source revealed on Saturday that “the Qataris have informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as they refuse to negotiate an agreement in good faith, they cannot continue mediating.”

With Gaza truce talks stalled, Hamas’s political office in Doha “no longer serves its purpose,” the diplomatic source said. However, despite the diplomatic pushback, Hamas’s political office in Doha remains open, as Qatari and American officials said its presence in Qatar offers a potential communication channel. No requests have been made for Hamas to leave Qatar, a senior official with the group said.

Meanwhile, families of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza held a rally Saturday, pushing for an immediate deal on the hostages and expressing frustration over Qatar’s withdrawal as mediator.

In Gaza, the conflict has reached 400 days. The conflict, marked by relentless violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis, has already claimed more than 43,500 deaths in Gaza, mainly civilians, according to data from the territory’s Ministry of Health. Additionally, more than 1,200 Israeli casualties were reported in the initial Hamas attack.

Meanwhile, a report from the UN-backed Famine Review Committee warned that famine conditions are imminent in northern Gaza due to food shortages and escalating hostilities, a claim Israel disputes because it is based on “biased data”.

(With contributions from agencies)