Qatar reverses decision to freeze its mediation role between Israel and Hamas
The Qatari Prime Minister plans to meet with senior U.S. officials to discuss Israel’s attack on his country and the status of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced that Qatar would continue its “diplomatic” role as mediator in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, despite Doha’s earlier declaration that it would suspend its mediation following the Israeli strike on Hamas leaders.
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Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, he said that “the State of Qatar affirms that it will continue its humanitarian and diplomatic role without hesitation wherever such efforts can help save lives.”
He warned, however, that Qatar “will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty and security” and “reserves its legitimate right to respond through means guaranteed by international law.” He added: “We in Qatar are advocates of peace, not of war. We have chosen peace as our path, and we will not be deterred by those who call for destruction.”
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He described the attack as “an assault on all diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful solutions,” stressing that “the only path to peace runs through negotiations, beginning with a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners, unconditional humanitarian access to Gaza, and the lifting of the blockade.”
Reports suggest Doha is expected to receive U.S. assurances and guarantees in exchange for resuming its mediation role. On Friday, the Qatari Prime Minister is set to meet senior American officials to discuss the Israeli strike and the state of Gaza ceasefire talks.
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The U.S. State Department confirmed Thursday night that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman would meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. According to Politico and Axios, he is also expected to hold talks with President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation, amid fears it could further escalate tensions in an already volatile region. The UN Security Council denounced the strike on Doha on Thursday, though its unanimous statement by all 15 members, including the U.S., did not explicitly name Israel.
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Washington also sees Qatar as a key ally in the Gulf, playing a central role in brokering a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, facilitating the release of Israeli hostages, and helping shape a post-war plan for Gaza.
On Tuesday, President Trump confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the strike on Qatar, stressing that the attack served neither American nor Israeli interests and expressing his frustration.
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Trump, who pledged upon taking office in January to end Israel’s war in Gaza, has so far failed to deliver on that goal. His term began with a two-month ceasefire that collapsed on March 18, when Israeli airstrikes killed 400 Palestinians.
In recent weeks, images of starving Palestinians in Gaza, including children, have shocked global opinion and intensified criticism of Israel.
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