A senior Qatari diplomat has denied claims of direct communication with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, stating that all mediation efforts are conducted through representatives of Hamas’s political office in Doha, particularly Khalil Al-Hayah. They also clarified that no members of Qatar’s mediation team have met with families of hostages, refuting reports about ongoing communications.
A high-ranking Qatari diplomat has categorically refuted assertions regarding direct engagement with Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. In an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post, the diplomat clarified that Qatar’s mediation efforts are exclusively conducted through intermediaries from Hamas’s political office located in Doha. “Khalil Al-Hayah has been leading negotiations on behalf of Hamas since day one,” the diplomat articulated, underscoring that Sinwar has not participated in any direct discussions. The official further remarked, “Our Prime Minister stated publicly: we have never had any relationship or communication with Sinwar historically. It was always Al-Hayah who became involved in technical negotiations, not Sinwar.” Khalil Al-Hayah, recognized as a senior official within the Hamas political structure, plays a critical role in diplomatic efforts, frequently representing the group during ceasefire discussions and other negotiations. The Qatari diplomat confirmed that Al-Hayah has remained at the forefront of talks with international mediators throughout the ongoing hostage crisis. Regarding Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, the diplomat noted, “Haniyeh was involved in previous negotiations, but it was always Al-Hayah who managed the technical side of things.” Haniyeh, who was significantly influential within Hamas, had his role in negotiations diminish following his assassination in July 2024 during a visit to Tehran. The Qatari envoy emphasized that no members of Qatar’s mediation team have engaged with the families of hostages held by Hamas. “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 asserted in response to a report suggesting that Sinwar had discontinued communications and was concealing himself among the hostages. The diplomat concluded by categorically denying the accuracy of the claims reported, stating, “What was mentioned in the article is simply not true.”
The context of this article highlights the complex dynamics within Middle Eastern diplomacy, particularly concerning Qatar’s role as a mediator in conflicts involving Hamas. Qatar has positioned itself as a crucial intermediary in negotiations with Hamas, especially during crises such as hostage situations. The clarification from the senior Qatari diplomat addresses ongoing speculations about direct engagement with Hamas leaders, particularly Yahya Sinwar, and underscores the exclusivity of their communication through designated representatives like Khalil Al-Hayah.
In summary, the statements made by a senior Qatari diplomat emphasize the absence of direct communication with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and clarify that all mediation efforts have been solely managed by Khalil Al-Hayah. The diplomat’s assertions address inaccuracies in reported claims about the engagement with families of hostages, reinforcing Qatar’s established diplomatic protocols in handling such sensitive negotiations.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
