A senior Israeli official claims that Qatar's move to step back from mediating the hostage release deal is an attempt by Qatar to relieve pressure on itself ahead of the Trump administration's term.
Whether senior Hamas officials are expelled from Qatar or not, Qatar will still remain the most influential factor on Hamas, the source added according to Moriyah Asraf.
Therefore, Israel expects Qatar to exert significant pressure on Hamas to cease its refusal and finally agree to a deal for the release of hostages.
Today (Saturday), Reuters reported that Qatar will stop mediating between Israel and Hamas, after having conducted indirect negotiations between Israel and the terrorist organization together with Egypt over the past 13 months.
According to the report, based on the words of a diplomatic source, "the Qataris have informed Israel and Hamas that as long as both sides refuse to negotiate a good-faith agreement, they will not be able to continue fulfilling their role as mediators." As a result, there is no longer any justification or need for the existence of Hamas offices within the territory of the state.
