How the war in Gaza has shaped Qatar’s role as a regional mediator

In the months following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the start of Israel’s war in Gaza, drawn-out negotiations between the sides have relied on the intercession of a small but influential mediator: Qatar.

When Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a pause in fighting in November in exchange for the release of some of the hostages taken by the militant group, it was Qatar that played a key role as intermediary between the bitter foes.