QATARI Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said that political exploitation and insults of its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas made it reassess its status as a ceasefire broker.
Without naming anyone, Al Thani lamented how Qatar became subject to exploitation by politicians who want to market their electoral campaigns through the defamation of Qatar.
He pointed out that Qatar’s role as a mediator has been misused for narrow political interests which made the Gulf nation step back and make a comprehensive evaluation of its diplomatic position.
Al Thani’s statement came after the U.S. Congressman for Maryland, Steny Hoyer, said Hamas seeks to use Qatar to exact greater concessions from Israel. The American Congressman referred to the Gulf state as a financer and supporter of the terror group.
“Hamas has also sought to use its intermediary Qatar – which has long helped finance, back, and house the terrorist organization – to exact greater concessions from Israel. Instead, Qatar needs to make it clear to Hamas that there will be repercussions if it continues to block progress toward releasing the hostages and establishing a temporary ceasefire,” Rep. Steny Hoyer D-Maryland, Majority Leader said.
Hoyer also urged Qatar to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the hostages they abducted on October 7. The Presidential and House of Representatives elections will be held in the United States on November 5, 2024.
Qatar has helped brokered ceasefires during previous escalations with Gaza while its influential position as a mediator helped establish communications between Western countries and armed groups.
