Contradicting US claims of renewed hostage deal push, Qatar says its mediation halt still in place

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari gives a press conference in Doha on December 3, 2024. (Screen capture/X)
Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari gives a press conference in Doha on December 3, 2024. (Screen capture/X)

Qatar’s suspension of its mediation role between Israel and Hamas is still in place, a government spokesperson says, a week after US President Joe Biden claimed that Doha, Egypt and Turkey would be making another push to secure a hostage deal.

On November 8, the Biden administration revealed that it had asked Qatar to oust Hamas’s leaders due to the terror group’s refusal to engage seriously in hostage talks. The next day, Qatar confirmed the decision to kick out Hamas officials, but insisted it had nothing to do with a request from Washington. Instead, it announced its decision to halt mediation efforts, saying it would only resume the role when it deems both sides to be demonstrating willingness to negotiate in good faith.

After brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Biden announced last week that the US, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey would be making “another push” for a hostage deal in the coming days. Egypt and Qatar have been the two main mediators since the start of the conflict and Turkey has been hosting Hamas leaders who fled from Qatar.

While Egypt has reportedly been engaged in this renewed effort, the White House acknowledged yesterday that there was no breakthrough to report. Hours later, US President-elect Donald Trump posted a warning to those holding hostages in the Middle East that they would face unprecedented retribution if the captives are not released by his January 20 inauguration.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari asserts in a press conference that Doha’s pause in mediation efforts remains in place.

“We are suspending our goal as mediators pending both parties showing seriousness in getting back to the negotiation table,” al-Ansari says.

At the same time, Qatar’s “regional contacts” will continue, with a focus on delivering aid to Gaza and maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon, according to al-Ansari.

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