Qatari Advisor’s Comments on Gaza Ceasefire Highlight Gaps With U.S. and Israel

Latest Developments

Qatari Official Urges Parties to Negotiate Phase Two: Countering the U.S. and Israeli positions, Majed al-Ansari, a senior advisor to the Qatari government, stated in a March 2 interview that “there is no sustainability in the talks” between Israel and Hamas as long as the second phase of the January 19 ceasefire agreement is not implemented. The second phase envisages the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent end to the war in exchange for the release of all remaining Israeli hostages. Phase one of the ceasefire expired on March 1, and though several delegations traveled to Cairo last week for negotiations over next steps, Hamas official Bassem Naim said on February 28 that there had been “no progress” towards a second phase.
U.S., Israel Push for Newly Crafted Extension: Ansari said that talks over phase two were “in limbo,” primarily due to gaps in Hamas and Israel’s demands over post-war arrangements in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on February 17 that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority would be allowed to govern Gaza in the future, but Ansari said that decision is ultimately “up to the Palestinian people on the ground.” U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff proposed a temporary ceasefire extension until April 19, which would see the remaining 59 Israeli hostages released while a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. Israel agreed to this framework, but Hamas did not, prompting Israel to suspend aid to the Gaza Strip on March 2. Netanyahu declared, “If Hamas thinks that it will be possible to continue the ceasefire or benefit from the terms of the first stage, without us receiving hostages, it is sorely mistaken.”
Hostages Remaining: Following the end of phase one of the ceasefire, 59 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. U.S. President Donald Trump invited a delegation of released hostages to Washington this week, including Eli Sharabi, whose wife and daughters were murdered by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, atrocities. The group will reportedly meet with Trump in the White House on March 4, according to Sharabi’s brother.

FDD Expert Response

“The Biden administration made a terrible mistake by empowering the Qataris in negotiations with Hamas. Doha has a vested interest in the survival of Hamas, not only because the Qataris share Hamas’s ideology but also because the terror organization is a tool with which to exert leverage over Washington. Until now, Doha has still played a double game — ingratiating itself with the White House while continuing to enable Hamas terrorists. Perhaps now, after Doha has publicly broken ranks with the administration, President Trump can do what Biden should have done on October 8, 2023, and threaten Doha’s Major Non-NATO Ally status if they don’t immediately align with U.S. interests.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Qatar continues to operate as the mouthpiece of Hamas rather than placing downward pressure on the terror group to reach an agreement. Qatar has immense leverage over Hamas, including providing sanctuary to its senior leadership. If Qatar is not willing to use its position to engineer a durable and lasting agreement between Israel and Hamas, then the United States should begin a series of steps to downgrade our military and economic cooperation with the country.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

“When asked whether Hamas should have a role in postwar Gaza, Ansari’s answer — or lack thereof — is indicative of where Qatar’s loyalties lie. By saying that the ‘day after’ is up to the Palestinian people, Ansari left the door open for Hamas to reassert control over the strip. That’s something that neither Israel nor the United States will tolerate. Doha isn’t just now deviating from Washington over the so-called ‘Witkoff proposal.’ Doha has been operating by a different playbook since day one.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst