Watan-Palestinian journalist and writer Nazem Al-Mehdawi, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Watan,” commented on the recent developments regarding Qatari mediation between Hamas and Israel, following Doha’s announcement of its intention to conduct a comprehensive reassessment of its mediation role. This came as a response to what Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described as concerns about undermining Qatar’s efforts by those pursuing “narrow political interests.”
Qatar has repeatedly rejected Israeli criticisms and accusations in this regard, especially from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Qatari embassy in Washington also condemned statements made by US Democratic Congressman Steny Hoyer, calling on America to reconsider its relations with Qatar.
How did the Qatari Foreign Minister deal a “knockout blow” to Netanyahu? Threatening to abandon mediation between Hamas and Israel, Mehdawi considered it a “knockout blow to Netanyahu,” as he described it.
He explained that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani dealt a significant blow with his recent statements, saying that “negotiations are going through a sensitive phase, and Qatar is re-evaluating its role as a mediator,” leaving Netanyahu with no choice but to tell Americans, “Find another mediator and leave us,” as Mehdawi stated in a tweet on his official Twitter account.
He pointed out that this blow would greatly affect Netanyahu, who, as he said, used to flex his muscles on Qatar, sometimes accusing it of funding terrorism while coordinating financial aid under UN supervision, other times blaming its failure and frustration on Doha and demanding it to pressure Hamas leaders to surrender, and sometimes accusing it of harboring terrorists and threatening to assassinate them wherever they are. “There’s not a Zionist senator who hasn’t incited against Qatar,” he added.
#نتنياهو فرض عضلاته على #قطر. مرة يتهمها بتمويل الإرهاب وهو الذي كان ينسق المساعدات المالية تحت اشراف الأمم المتحدة.
ومرة يرمي فشله واحباطه من المقاومة على الدوحة ويطالبها أن تضغط على قادة حماس كي يرضخوا.ومرة يتهمها أنها تأوي الارهابيين ويهدد باغتيالهم أينما كانوا.
وما ترك… pic.twitter.com/bUtLY9BcPL— Nezam Mahdawi نظام المهداوي (@NezamMahdawi) April 21, 2024
“No solution without Qatari mediation”
Regarding the possibility of Qatar abandoning its role as a mediator and implementing its threat directed at America and the Israeli government, the Palestinian writer believed that there is no solution without Qatar and its mediation. He pointed out that this is a role that no capital can undertake, including Cairo, which is always seen as favoring the Zionists.
“Qatar will not ask Hamas to leave”
Mehdawi also commented on the alleged reports circulating about the leaders of Hamas’s political bureau considering leaving Qatar for another country.
He said that what happened was “a clear message to Americans keen on communication with Hamas.”
He emphasized that the resistance movement will not be incapacitated by the place, and it is capable of leaving alone because Qatar will never ask it to leave. However, the resistance will not surrender or break, he said.
Throughout the past months, Doha played a pivotal role in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel alongside the United States and Egypt.
Qatari mediation in the Gaza war
Qatar succeeded in achieving a ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation for a week in late November, resulting in the entry of some aid through the Rafah crossing and the exchange of prisoners with Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, in addition to a temporary ceasefire that did not last long.
However, all efforts to achieve a second ceasefire have failed since then despite Qatar‘s intensive attempts to achieve this. In response to criticisms, especially from the occupation and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced days ago that Doha is “conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the role” of mediation it is undertaking.
The Qatari Foreign Minister condemned what he described as unacceptable exploitation, abuse, and political brinkmanship by some politicians for their election campaigns, by criticizing Doha’s role in mediating between the occupation and Hamas.
Al Thani reaffirmed, in statements that caused a stir and prompted Washington to issue official statements confirming its keenness on a strong relationship with Qatar, that “Doha will take the appropriate decision at the right time” regarding continuing or halting mediation efforts.