Train Placed in the center of the map after the scene of discreet events Talks between Israel, the USA and Hamas and other actors war in gaza. This emirate, which is among the great powers and has a smart foreign policy, with a population of just over two and a half million, has emerged as the largest emirate in the world. district mediator. This role is not new: Three years ago, it hosted talks between the United States and the Taliban that resulted in an agreement to withdraw North American troops from the country. Afghanistan. Or he recently mediated a prisoner exchange between Washington and Tehran.
During this month’s conflict with Israel HamasThe group that has de facto control in Gaza Doha It has become a mandatory stop for the two major major powers in the conflict. A few hours later Anthony BlinkenThe US Secretary of State departed and landed from Doha after meeting with several senior Qatari officials on October 13. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iranian Foreign Minister. The representative of Iran also met with the leader of Hamas. Ismail HaniyeAccording to Al Jazeera. The two diplomats recently returned to the country after this first trip. Conversations in this city on the shores of the Persian Gulf continue with secrecy and secrecy. In the same week, multiple sources assured that 10 to 15 people kidnapped by the Islamists would be released as a result of Qatar’s mediation in exchange for an end to the war; however, this agreement did not ultimately materialize.
in Doha, Hamas has an open office and the country served as a refuge for many leaders of this organization. This good relationship between Qatar and the Islamist group places the Gulf country in a privileged position as a mediator. “To the USA and Israel, The presence of Hamas representatives and interlocutors in Doha is always interesting. “For Qatar, the Palestinian cause is a central element of its foreign policy because it is the conflict itself that has a greater capacity for influence,” explains David Hernández, doctor of International Relations and professor at the Complutense University of Madrid. The Emirate is also one of the main financiers of Islamist organisations. Muslim Brothers.
Criticism against Israel
Since the beginning of the conflict, Qatari diplomacy has portrayed Israel as “solely responsible for the ongoing tensions.” Continuing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people“, as can be read in the statement published on October 7, without any reference to Hamas and calls for de-escalation. The tone is rising, and a few days ago the Emirate assessed: “brutal massacres and horrific crimes against unarmed civilians“Regarding the Israeli bombings, it represents a ‘clear violation of international law.’
In parallel with this close relationship between Qatar and Hamas, the Emirate also maintains good relations with Washington. The USA has the largest military base in the Middle East in this Gulf country. Although Doha does not recognize Israel, it has an open line of communication with Tel Aviv. During this month of the war in Gaza, Qatari diplomacy mediated negotiations, thus allowing Hamas free the four hostages; Additionally, Egypt would open the Rafah crossing so that aid could enter and the most seriously injured could be evacuated, along with people from other countries or those with dual citizenship who were stranded in the Strip.
A diplomatic admirer
This country has also woven a network of international relations over the years, including: Iran, Russia, Türkiye anyone Chinese. “The Qatari monarchy is aware that it lives among great powers. Saudi Arabia and Iran. We live in an extremely complex region like the Middle East, and Qatar knows this for such a small country. To survive, you have to be very smart in your foreign policy.“says Hernández.
“Whenever there is a problem, crisis or conflict, the foundations of negotiation and dialogue are laid in Doha,” says this international relations expert. And he adds: “Qatar thinks that this way it will become an important actor, an actor that no one will want to attack.that no one wants to put pressure on you because this is where we meet to talk.
Qatar is one of the most important countries world gas producersespecially liquefied. For example, some of the gas consumed in Spain comes from this emirate. This natural resource, which enriches the country, has also been one of the best assets for the implementation of diplomacy that goes beyond the mediation role. organization 2022 Football World Cup It is one of the best examples. Qatar also owns this company. PSG, French football teamand television platform Bein SportsWhich owns the rights to most sporting events on the planet. Another important asset is the channel Al JazeeraIt was financed and established in Qatar.