Qatar mediating role between Israel-Hamas under strain

By Nathan Morley

For the last few months, Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, has had an important role in trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, along with the release of Israeli hostages.

However, the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said Doha had been ‘exploited and abused’ and was being undermined by those trying to score political points.

Though he did not identify any individuals, some critical voices from within the United States Congress have said Qatar is not putting enough pressure on Hamas to make concessions.

He also requested the international community take responsibility for stopping the conflict in Gaza and emphasized the importance of refraining from using humanitarian aid as a tool for political leverage.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stressed Israel's right to defend itself against Iran, during meetings with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Jerusalem.

There is growing international pressure on Israel and Iran to de-escalate the unease following Iran's missile and drone attack against Israel last weekend.