Qatar re-evaluates key mediator role in Middle East conflict on concerns of ‘political exploitation’

• In a late-Wednesday statement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "lamented the political exploitation by some politicians with narrow interests, marketing their electoral campaigns through the defamation of Qatar's role."
• He did not reference any politicians or states by name.
• The Qatari leader stressed that Doha will undertake a "comprehensive evaluation" of its diplomatic position without indicating a timeline.

Qatar is reconsidering its role as cease-fire broker between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, the Gulf state's prime minister said, expressing concerns that Doha's mediation has been subject to "political exploitation."

In a late-Wednesday statement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "lamented the political exploitation by some politicians with narrow interests, marketing their electoral campaigns through the defamation of Qatar's role."

He did not reference any politicians or states by name, but noted that Doha has observed the "misuse" of its mediation and "its employment for narrow political interests," stressing that Qatar will undertake a "comprehensive evaluation" of its diplomatic position without indicating a timeline.

Earlier this week, U.S. Congressman for Maryland, Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) had issued a statement urging Qatar to "apply pressure on Hamas to accept a reasonable deal" for a temporary truce in exchange for the return of captives abducted by the Palestinian group during its terror attack of Oct. 7.

Since October, the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip has been ravaged by a retaliatory war campaign carried out by Israel.

"Hamas has also sought to use its intermediary Qatar – which has long helped finance, back, and house the terrorist organization – to exact greater concessions