Qatar rejects US congressman’s criticism of its mediation efforts in Gaza

CAIRO: The Qatari embassy in the US expressed surprise on Tuesday at comments made by a US Democratic congressman regarding the Gaza hostage crisis and his threat to “reevaluate” the US relationship with Qatar.

Congressman Steny Hoyer said on Monday that Qatar, which along with Egypt is mediating negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, should tell Hamas there will be “repercussions” if the Palestinian group “continues to block progress towards releasing the hostages and establishing a temporary ceasefire”.

“Consequences ought to include cutting off funding to Hamas or refusing to grant Hamas’ leaders refuge in Doha. If Qatar fails to apply this pressure, the United States must reevaluate its relationship with Qatar,” Hoyer said in a statement.

In response, Qatar said Hoyer’s comments were not “constructive”.

“Qatar is only a mediator - we do not control Israel or Hamas. Israel and Hamas are entirely responsible for reaching an agreement,” the embassy statement said.

“Of course, recent progress has been slow, and Congressman Hoyer is not alone in his frustration. But blaming and threatening is not constructive,” it said.

Qatar is a major non-Nato ally, the statement added, and presently hosts 10,000 US troops and the largest US military presence in the Middle East.

The embassy statement also dismissed Hoyer’s suggestion that Hamas should not be in Qatar.

“It is certainly tempting to do as he suggests and walk away from seemingly intransigent parties... but it is useful to remember that Qatar’s mediation role exists only because we were asked by the US in 2012 to play this role since, regrettably, Israel and Hamas refuse to speak to each other directly,” it said.

The Oct 7 killing spree by Hamas triggered Israel’s ground and aerial offensive in Gaza which Palestinian officials say has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 33,000 Palestinians.