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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a meeting in Lusail, Qatar, on October 13. Photography: Jacqueline Martin – Reuters

The small state of Qatar, in Persian Gulfonce again occupies the center Global diplomacythis time for his efforts to broker deals for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its attacks on Israel on October 7, as well as the evacuation of foreign citizens from Gaza.

On Wednesday, Qatar negotiated… The agreement between Israel, Hamas and EgyptIn coordination with the United States, to release foreign nationals and seriously injured Palestinian civilians from Gaza to Egypt, according to sources familiar with the talks. The source added that the agreement is independent of any negotiations regarding the hostages.

At least 110 foreign passport holders have left Gaza, according to officials on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing. Al-Arish Hospital in Egypt also began receiving wounded Palestinians who crossed from Gaza, according to Cairo News Channel.

Qatar in A delicate diplomatic stanceA position that, according to experts, has worked in his favor so far, making him an indispensable ally of Washington.

The gas-rich kingdom has maintained a relationship with Hamas, while also being one of the United States’ closest allies in the region. At the same time, he also maintained secondary contacts with Israel.

Regarding the nature of Qatar’s relationship with Hamas: In the wake of the uprisings Arab Spring 2011Qatar has distanced itself from some of its Arab neighbors after supporting protesters seeking to overthrow the regimes of several Arab countries.

Relations deteriorated further when Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt severed diplomatic relations with Qatar in mid-2017, accusing the country of supporting terrorism, which Qatar repeatedly denied. It took years for the countries to repair their relations.

In 2012, it allowed the Iranian-backed Hamas movement to establish a political office in Doha, which is still operational. Qatar too Payment of salaries For the public sector in Gaza, part of the salary 30 million dollars per month For families and fuel for electricity, according to Reuters.

It also maintained close relations with Western countries, and became a state Energy supplierIts importance is growing as one of the world’s largest gas producers and a prominent buyer of American weapons.

But some said that Qatar’s relationship with Hamas may become an obstacle. Doha is under criticism from Israel and Western politicians because of its relations with Hamas.

Despite mediation efforts, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused Qatar last week of financing Hamas and harboring its leaders.

In response, Qatar said that it was “surprised and horrified” by the Israeli minister’s statements, especially “at a time when Qatar seeks to ensure the release of prisoners and reduce tension.”