Qatar says it's rethinking its mediator role
Qatar’s prime minister has said that the country is reevaluating its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas.
Qatar has been a key intermediary throughout the war in Gaza. It, along with the U.S. and Egypt, was instrumental in helping negotiate a brief halt to the fighting in November that led to the release of dozens of hostages.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani said there had been an “abuse” of Qatar’s mediation for “narrow political interests.”
He did not name one side in his remarks. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized Qatar and recently threatened to shutter Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera.
Top Hamas leaders live in exile in Qatar, which is seen as one of the only parties with influence over the militant group.
Al Thani said there were “limits” to the role of mediator and “to the ability to which we can contribute to these negotiations in a constructive manner.”
Mediators have been trying to push Hamas and Israel toward a cease-fire deal, but the sides remain far apart on key terms.
Source: Associated Press
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