Qatar suspends mediation role in Gaza war

2024-11-09 21:15:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Qatar has decided to suspend its role as mediator between Hamas and Israel, officials said Saturday.

However, Qatar is likely to become part of the effort again if both sides show "serious political will" to reach an agreement on the war in Gaza, according to one official.

A diplomatic source with knowledge of the matter said Israel and Hamas, along with the United States, were briefed after the decision was made by Doha. This source added that 'as a result of the decision, the political office of Hamas no longer serves the purpose for which it was opened' in Qatar.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

Hamas has not accepted any ultimatum to leave Qatar. The Israeli prime minister's office did not comment on the decision.

The announcement comes after growing frustration over the lack of progress towards a ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, three separate Israeli strikes killed at least 16 people, including women and children, in Gaza on Saturday, Palestinian medical officials said. Meanwhile, Israel announced the achievement of the first humanitarian aid delivery in several weeks in northern Gaza.

Israel's offensives also continued against Lebanese Hezbollah militants. The Israeli military said it struck the militant group's command centers and military infrastructure overnight in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Israel: Aid trucks are reaching northern Gaza

The Israeli military's office in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza, COGAT, said on Saturday that 11 trucks with food aid, water and medical supplies arrived in northern Gaza on Thursday. This is the first time aid has reached northern Gaza since Israel launched a new military offensive last month.

But not all of the aid reached the points agreed upon, according to the UN's World Food Program (WFP), which was involved in the delivery process. In the Jabaliya refugee camp, Israeli troops stopped a convoy of trucks en route to nearby Beit Lahiya and ordered supplies to be unloaded, WFP spokeswoman Alia Zaki said.

Israel's offensive is focused on Jabaliya, where Israel says Hamas has regrouped. Other affected areas include Beit Lahiyan and Beit Hanounin, north of Gaza City.

Deadline for aid set by the United States

The aid announcement came days before a deadline set by Washington for Israel to increase humanitarian aid deliveries across Gaza expired. Otherwise, Israel risks losing American aid.

The United States says Israel must allow at least 350 trucks a day carrying food and other supplies.

During the more than year-long war in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian health officials, who are controlled by the militant group Hamas, say more than 43,000 people have died. The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties, but Palestinian officials say more than half of those killed were women and children./ VOA