Reuters: Qatar may close Hamas’s political office in Doha

Reuters quoted a knowledgeable official on Saturday, May 4, 2024, stating that Qatar might close the political office of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Doha as part of a broader review of the state’s mediation role in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The official indicated that Doha is considering whether to allow Hamas to continue operating its political office, with the broader review also examining whether Qatar will continue mediating the ongoing conflict for nearly seven months.

In April, Qatar announced a reassessment of its mediation role in indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, citing concerns about undermining its efforts due to politicians seeking gains.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that if Qatar does not play a mediation role, there would be no benefit in retaining Hamas’s political office, thus this is part of the reassessment.

Additionally, the official mentioned uncertainty about whether Qatar would request Hamas to leave Doha if the Qatari government decides to close the movement’s office.

However, Qatar’s review of its role will be influenced by Israel and Hamas’ behavior during the ongoing negotiations.

Qatar has hosted Hamas’s political office since 2012 as part of an agreement with the United States. Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’s political office, has been residing in Doha and has frequently traveled, including to Turkey, since the Al-Aqsa Intifada on October 7.

Majid al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously stated that Hamas’s political office would remain in Doha as long as its presence benefits ongoing mediation efforts between Palestinians and Israelis.

Ansari affirmed that Hamas’s office in Doha was established in coordination with the United States and other parties to ensure a communication channel that facilitates any mediation led by Qatar between the two parties, which has succeeded in numerous mediations in recent years.

He added that as long as Hamas’s office fulfills this role, meaning that mediation efforts are ongoing, there is no justification for ending its presence.

In parallel, a Hamas leader told Reuters that the movement’s negotiators arrived in Cairo on Saturday for intensive discussions regarding a potential ceasefire in Gaza that would involve the return of some prisoners to Israel.

Through the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the participation of the United States, Israel and Hamas have been engaged in months of stalled indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on a prisoner exchange and ceasefire.

Cairo has recently embraced a proposal regarding the deal after intensifying its contacts with Hamas and Israel regarding “points of contention” between the two sides, according to Egyptian media reports on Thursday.

Tel Aviv estimates the presence of 133 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while Hamas announced the killing of 70 of them in indiscriminate airstrikes by Israel.