Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor

Mediator in chief: how role of Qatar will be central to Gaza ceasefire holding

People walk next to an anchored traditional dhow boat are in front of the Doha skyline on July 5, 2025.
Qatar has the twin status as an Israeli-endorsed mediator and a unilateral conduit for aid and cash to Hamas in Gaza. Photograph: Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images

As the world waits to see if the Gaza ceasefire holds, the role of Qatar, one of the four guarantors of the agreement, is absolutely central.

Probably more than any other country, the vastly wealthy Gulf state holds influence over what Hamas may choose to do in future. This stems from its complicated twin status as an Israeli-endorsed mediator and a unilateral conduit for aid and cash to Hamas in Gaza. For more than a decade, Qatar has also hosted the political leadership of Hamas in Doha.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.