Qatar called Rep. Steny Hoyer’s (D-Md.) criticism of the country’s mediation efforts in the Israel-Hamas war “not constructive” and rebuked the lawmaker for “threatening” to “reevaluate” the U.S. relationship with Doha.
Hoyer stated on Monday that Qatar should signal to Hamas that “repercussions” will ensue if the militant Palestinian group stalls “progress” toward releasing the hostages held in Gaza and getting to a temporary cease-fire.
“Qatar needs to make it clear to Hamas that there will be repercussions if it continues to block progress toward releasing the hostages and establishing a temporary ceasefire,” Hoyer said in a statement released Monday. “Consequences ought to include cutting off funding to Hamas or refusing to grant Hamas’ leaders refuge in Doha. If Qatar fails to apply this pressure, the United States must reevaluate its relationship with Qatar.”
Qatar and Egypt are involved in negotiations for establishing a cease-fire in Gaza.
The Qatari Embassy in the U.S. rebuked the senior Democratic lawmaker’s statement.
“We share his frustration that Hamas and Israel have not reached an agreement on the release of the remaining hostages,” Qatar’s Embassy said in a statement released Tuesday.