Qatar quits Gaza peace talks after kicking Hamas out of country

Qatar has withdrawn as a key mediator for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal and warned Hamas that its Doha office ‘no longer serves its purpose’, a diplomatic source has said.

The country has also told the terror group to leave the country, after the US complained they should not be able to seek refuge in the Gulf country.

‘The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate,’ the source said on condition of anonymity.

‘As a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose.’

Qatar, with the United Sates and Egypt, has been engaged in months of fruitless negotiations for a truce with hostage and prisoner releases.

The informed source said Qatar had already ‘notified both sides, Israel and Hamas as well as the US administration’ of its decision.

‘The Qataris conveyed to the US administration that they would be ready to re-engage in mediation when both sides… demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table’, the source added.

It comes ‘antisemitic’ rioters ‘actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack’ after a football match in Amsterdam.

Five people were admitted to hospital and 62 arrested on Thursday night as a result of violence that has been condemned by leaders of both the Netherlands and Israel.

The riots followed a Europa League game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Attacks included ‘scooter hit-and-runs’, the city’s mayor Femke Halsema confirmed at a press conference on Friday.

Ms Femke said the violence was ‘against everything we’re proud of in Amsterdam,’ adding: ‘I’m very ashamed of the behaviour that was shown last night. This is nothing like Amsterdam.’

She said it brought to mind attacks on Jews in European history, including Kristallnacht in 1939, the anniversary of which is Saturday.

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