Qatar says mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas 'are currently on hold'

Qatar has called reports on its withdrawal from mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas as inaccurate, adding that talks to end the ongoing war are currently on hold.

The Gulf state's efforts to broker a deal will resume when "the parties show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war", the gulf state's foreign ministry said.

"The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate," one diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity.

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"As a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose."

Qatar, with the United Sates and Egypt, has been engaged in months of fruitless negotiations for a truce with hostage and prisoner releases.

The informed source said Qatar had already "notified both sides, Israel and Hamas as well as the US administration" of its decision.

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