Qatar to resume mediation only if Israel and Hamas show willingness to end war

New Delhi, Nov 11: Qatar has formally stepped back from its role as mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, announcing on Saturday that it will only resume efforts when both parties demonstrate a "willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war" in Gaza. This decision, conveyed by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, marks a significant turn in the ongoing negotiations, which have been largely stalled.

The move was not entirely unexpected. Doha had indicated as early as May that it might reconsider its position due to the lack of progress in talks, signalling its frustration with the inflexibility of both sides. Analysts suggest that Qatar's withdrawal is a tactical manoeuvre to force external powers, particularly the United States, to increase pressure on Israel, much like Washington has been urging Doha to press Hamas for concessions. "Qatar wants to cast blame equally and make it clear that no meaningful dialogue is possible without a shift in strategy from both sides," noted Zvi Bar'el, a prominent Middle East analyst as reported by Haaretz.

Protests in Israel as Hostages Mark 400 Days in Captivity

In Israel, nationwide protests were reported this weekend, with thousands taking to the streets demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza. The demonstrations, held in cities such as Haifa, Jerusalem, and Pardes Hannah, marked the 400th day of captivity for many hostages. Haaretz reported that five individuals were arrested during these protests, reflecting the mounting frustration and pressure on the Israeli government to secure the return of its citizens.

Meanwhile, violence in Gaza continued unabated. An Israeli airstrike on the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza resulted in at least 36 deaths, including women and children, according to local medical sources. Additional strikes were reported in northern Gaza City and near Rafah, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis. The Palestinian Health Ministry stated that the conflict has led to the deaths of at least 43,603 Palestinians, with over 102,929 wounded since the fighting began.

Cross-Border Tensions Intensify with Lebanon and Syria

An Israeli strike in Aalmat El Chamalieh, north of Beirut, killed 20 people, including three children, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. In response, dozens of rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory, prompting retaliatory strikes by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the Bekaa Valley region. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reiterated his country’s commitment to Security Council Resolution 1701, vowing to bolster military forces in the south to prevent further escalation, Haaretz reported.

In Syria, regional tensions are equally high. Reports from the Syrian Arab News Agency quoted by Haaretz indicated that Israeli forces struck a residential area in Damascus, killing seven people and injuring eight. This attack comes amid increased U.S. drone surveillance along the Iraq-Syria border, aimed at intercepting the flow of weapons and fighters into the conflict zone. Separately, Al Arabiya reported the death of Salim Ayyash, a Hezbollah commander convicted in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, in an Israeli airstrike in western Syria.

Airstrikes in Yemen

The conflict’s ripple effects are also felt in Yemen, where U.S. and U.K. forces conducted airstrikes targeting sites in the capital Sana'a and other regions, according to Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV. As reported by Haaretz. The escalation across multiple fronts highlights the broader geopolitical dimensions of the conflict, drawing in various state and non-state actors and complicating prospects for a peaceful resolution.

Qatar's exit from the negotiating table highlights the deepening impasse in the conflict, with no clear path to de-escalation as the violence continues to engulf the region. The withdrawal may push international actors to seek new diplomatic avenues, but for now, the prospects of a ceasefire appear bleak amid the intensifying hostilities.