Qatar said it has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and the United States to continue talks on U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza plan to reach an end to the war, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said on X.
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar © QNA
Qatar announced that it has begun coordinating with Egypt and the United States to resume talks on U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, aimed at ending the ongoing war. The Qatari foreign ministry, in a statement on X, said the country welcomed Hamas’s response to the plan.
On the surface, this may sound like a diplomatic breakthrough — Qatar positioning itself as a constructive bridge between warring parties. But beneath the polished statements lies a deep contradiction that casts doubt on Doha’s true intentions.
For nearly two decades, Qatar has hosted the political bureau of Hamas, offering the group both financial and political backing.
The Gulf state has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into Gaza under the pretext of humanitarian aid — funds that, according to Israeli and Western intelligence, have also strengthened Hamas’s control over the enclave.
This relationship gives Qatar leverage — but also exposes its double game. On one hand, Doha presents itself as a trusted mediator, indispensable to Washington and regional powers. On the other, it sustains ties with an organization designated as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, and others.
Qatar’s strategy is not just about ideology; it’s about influence.
By keeping lines open with Hamas, the Gulf monarchy ensures that no negotiation on Gaza can move forward without its involvement. This makes Qatar both part of the solution and part of the problem.
Critics argue that Doha’s mediation is less about peace and more about positioning — preserving its regional importance while projecting an image of balance.
But true neutrality requires more than hosting talks; it demands a clean break from financing and sheltering the very actors fueling the conflict.
As the world once again turns to Qatar to help broker a ceasefire, one question looms large:
Can a state that bankrolls Hamas truly be trusted to broker peace in Gaza?
Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din and Hatem Maher
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told lawmakers Wednesday that the current Middle East conflict is "far worse" than the Iraq War of 2003, a dramatic claim that says more about his domestic political calculations than any genuine diplomatic insight.
Turkey "is playing a role passing messages" between Iran and the U.S. to encourage de-escalation and direct negotiations, Harun Armagan, vice chair of foreign affairs for President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, told Reuters on Wednesday.
Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes on Wednesday, as Iran's military rejected President Donald Trump's assertion the U.S. was in negotiations to end the war which has roiled energy and financial markets, saying the U.S. is negotiating with itself.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.
