A senior Qatari diplomat has denied allegations of direct communications with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, affirming that all mediation activities are conducted through Khalil Al-Hayah. The diplomat also stated that Qatar’s mediation team has not met families of hostages, countering reports of Sinwar’s actions and involvement.
A high-ranking Qatari diplomat has formally rejected assertions of direct contact with Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, stating that all mediation efforts regarding the organization are solely conducted through representatives in Doha. In an exclusive statement to The Jerusalem Post, the diplomat reinforced the position of Khalil Al-Hayah as the primary negotiator for Hamas since the initiation of the ongoing situation. “Khalil Al-Hayah has been leading negotiations on behalf of Hamas since day one,” the diplomat emphasized, noting that Sinwar was not involved in any direct discussions. The official further quoted the Qatari Prime Minister’s earlier affirmations that Qatar has historically maintained no relationship or communications with Sinwar, reiterating that all technical negotiations have been handled by Al-Hayah. Moreover, the diplomat provided context regarding Ismail Haniyeh, a previous key figure in Hamas whose influence waned before his assassination in July 2024. Haniyeh had been involved in prior negotiations; however, the technical discussions were always managed by Al-Hayah. Addressing other claims, the diplomat affirmed that no Qatari mediation members had met with the families of hostages taken by Hamas, stating, “I checked with all the Qatari mediation team members. None of us had a meeting with the hostages’ family members, neither this week nor last week.” He further refuted reports alleging that Sinwar had ceased communications and was hiding among the hostages, declaring, “What was mentioned in the article is simply not true.”
The article centers on the diplomatic role of Qatar regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, specifically its involvement in mediating between Hamas and other parties. In this instance, the focus is on the claims of communication between Qatar and Hamas leadership, particularly Yahya Sinwar and Khalil Al-Hayah. This clarification comes amidst heightened tensions and the hostage crisis in the region, where accurate communication and active negotiation channels are crucial for both humanitarian and political resolutions.
In summary, the senior Qatari diplomat’s statements clarify the channels of communication between Qatar and Hamas, denying any direct interactions with leadership figures such as Yahya Sinwar. Emphasizing Khalil Al-Hayah’s pivotal role in negotiations, the Qatari official also dispelled rumors regarding the mediation team’s meetings with hostages’ families and other inaccurate reports. The commitment to maintaining a structured and responsible mediation effort underlines Qatar’s position in the conflict.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
