Gaza: Qatar's delicate mediation between Hamas and Israel

An Israeli soldier runs towards a blaze presumably caused by burning balloons launched from the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, near Sderot, August 17, 2020. REUTERS / Amir Cohen

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2 min

Tensions remain between the Palestinian movement and Israel. The Qatari ambassador, Mohamed Al Emadi, tries a mediation. But negotiations are struggling to move forward. Meanwhile, the throwing of incendiary balloons from the Palestinian enclave into Israeli territory continues, to which the Hebrew state's airstrikes are responding.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem ,  Guilhem Delteil

Qatari Ambassador Mohamed Al Emadi is a regular in Gaza. The Qatari diplomat goes there regularly with suitcases filled with cash.

Tuesday, August 25, in the evening, he entered again with an estimated sum of $ 30 million. But the ruling Hamas leaders in the enclave want more. They are calling for structural projects: a new electricity distribution line, the development of an industrial zone, the extension of the fishing zone. These are old requests, notes Omar Chaabane, director of the PalThink think tank.

“  Everything they talk about, they've talked about several times in the past. During the 2014 ceasefire and even before. I do not know why they think that this time, they will be able to win their case,  ”explains the latter.

Competition from the United Arab Emirates

The main recent change is geopolitics. By moving closer to Israel, the United Arab Emirates may want to establish itself as a regional diplomatic player, and compete with its rival, Qatar, a long-time ally of Hamas. “  The Qataris will feel that they are competing with the UAE. This will encourage them to increase their presence, their role. I think there will be a kind of overlap,  ”continues Omar Chaabane.

Qatar therefore resumes a role of mediator between Hamas and Israel traditionally vested in Egypt. The emirate could agree to increase its aid to the Palestinian enclave to maintain its regional positions.

►Also read: Gaza Strip: tensions between Hamas and Israel, while negotiations are stalling

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  • Palestinian territories
  • Israel
  • Qatar

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