INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Qatar has suspended its work as a mediator in ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas, officials say.The country said
Washington would no longer accept the presence of Hamas representatives in Qatar, accusing the Palestinian group of rejecting fresh
reportedly at the request of the Obama administration.Several news agencies reported on Saturday that Qatar had agreed with the US to tell
The claims have also been denied by Hamas officials.The small but influential Gulf state is a key US ally in the region
It hosts a major American air base and has handled many delicate political negotiations, including with Iran, the Taliban and
Russia.Alongside the US and Egypt, the Qataris have also played a major role in rounds of so-far unsuccessful talks to broker a ceasefire in
the year-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.But there is growing evidence of a shift in the relationship.After the killing of Hamas
leader Yahya Sinwar, Hamas held a two-hour mourning tent in Doha in a small hall, a stark contrast to the recent three-day mourning held for
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which was conducted with official state oversight and security.The latest round of talks in mid-October failed
to produce a deal, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal
The group has always called for a complete end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.The Qatari foreign ministry
Days after being fired earlier this week, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of
rejecting a peace deal against the advice of his security chiefs.The call for Hamas to be expelled from Qatar appears to be an attempt by
the outgoing Biden administration to force some sort of peace deal before the end of his term in January.Were Hamas to be forced to leave
Doha, it is unclear where they would base their political office
Key ally Iran would be an option, although the assassination of former leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July suggests they may be at risk
from Israel if based there
It would also not give them anything close to the same diplomatic channels to the West.A more likely option would be Turkey
As a Nato member but also a Sunni majority state, it would give the group a base from which to operate in relative safety
needs to be done to ensure adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a fair and lasting peace process in the
west.Key Hamas figures such as Osama Hamdan, Taher al-Nunu, and others frequently featured on news outlets have been staying in Istanbul for
over a month.Their extended presence in Turkey marks a departure from past visits, which were typically limited to brief stays.It is thought
the personal safety of Hamas leadership is now a major concern for the group, which saw two leaders killed in less than four months
government has taken to ending the war
In October, the US Secretaries of State and Defense said if Israel did not allow more humanitarian aid into the territory by 12 November,
between President Joe Biden and Netanyahu has deteriorated over the course of the war in Gaza, with increasing pressure from Washington to
improve the humanitarian situation for the Palestinians and find some sort of negotiated settlement.But, according to Dr Hellyer, US
administration effectively encouraged further impunity
right-wing coalition, who will now also feel emboldened by the prospect of an incoming Donald Trump presidency.While exactly what approach
Trump will take to the region remains uncertain, he is thought to be more likely to allow Israel to act on its terms.He has previously said
During his last term in the White House, he took a number of steps deemed highly favourable to Israel, including moving the US embassy to
Jerusalem.It has also been reported, however, that Trump has told Netanyahu that he wants to see an end to the fighting by the time he takes
office.Either way, it seems likely that the current US administration will have less influence over the government in Jerusalem.They may
therefore believe the best way to force some sort of deal is to apply pressure on Hamas
Whether it pays off may depend on whether Qatar, so long a reliable ally, decides to go along with it.Source: BBC--Agencies
