Qatar is set to restart its mediation efforts for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip following the visit of Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East for President-elect Donald Trump, reports said.
For close to a year, Qatar, along with Egypt, mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, with an assist from the United States. But last month mediation was halted following perceived inertia by both sides toward a ceasefire agreement and hostage releases.
According to Reuters, after the recent meetings by Witkoff with the leading regional leaders, Qatar is now likely to re-engage in mediation. Witkoff is due to assume office on January 20, but he has already begun his diplomatic efforts. He went to Turkey and Israel last month and met with the leadership of the two nations about the ongoing conflict.
Trump’s administration is keen to broker a ceasefire in Gaza before the new administration takes office. The transition team is in communication with the outgoing administration of Joe Biden, which has been actively pursuing a resolution.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who spearheaded the mediation process before the suspension, received Witkoff on November 22 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on November 23. These meetings are an indication of Qatar’s renewed commitment to its role as a key mediator, even in the absence of formal announcements regarding the resumption of talks.
Moreover, it was said that Hamas negotiators, previously exiled from Qatar, would also arrive in New York for discussions. During the meeting, Witkoff and Al Thani agreed that a ceasefire in Gaza was necessary as soon as possible before Trump’s inauguration. In this way, a new administration could take further action, including the work on stabilization in Gaza and in the region as well.
After the talks with Witkoff, Al Thani visited Vienna on November 24 and met with the chief of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea. The latter has played a key role in negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage releases. Whether scheduled previously or arranged through the initiative of Witkoff is unknown, just as unknown is any result after discussions.
