Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal speaks during an interview with Reuters in Doha, Qatar, on October 5, 2024. — Reuters
Hamas negotiators are not currently in Doha, but the Palestinian militant group's office in the city has not been permanently closed, according to Qatar. "The leaders of Hamas who are part of the negotiating team are not in Doha at this time," said Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, adding, "The decision to permanently close the office is one that you will hear about directly from us."
Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations aimed at achieving a truce in the Gaza war, which would involve a deal for the release of hostages and prisoners. However, the Gulf state, which has hosted the Palestinian militant group since 2012 with Washington's approval, announced earlier this month that it was suspending its mediation efforts.
"The mediation process is currently suspended unless we decide to reverse that, which depends on the positions of both sides," Ansari stated on Tuesday. "The Hamas office in Doha was established for the purpose of the mediation process. Clearly, when there is no mediation process, the office has no function," he added, declining to confirm whether Qatar had requested Hamas officials to leave.
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