New Documents Suggest Qatar and Hamas Sought to Thwart Trump’s Mideast Peace Initiative
A recent cache of documents reportedly recovered by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza reveals a startling collaboration between Qatar and Hamas aimed at sabotaging the 2020 Middle East peace deal proposed by the Trump administration. This plan, known as the 'Peace to Prosperity' initiative, represented a significant US effort to resolve the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Inside the June 2019 Meeting
One document details an emergency meeting convened in June 2019, where top Qatari officials, including Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with senior Hamas leaders such as Khaled Mashal, the former head of Hamas’s Political Bureau. According to the papers, Mashal urged a united front against what he termed the 'deal of the century,' emphasizing opposition and efforts to prevent its success.
Qatar’s Financial Support to Hamas
Further evidence shows that by the end of 2019, Qatar was financially backing Hamas to an extent described in a message from then-Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Hamad al Thani. He reportedly told Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh that "The Qatari grants are Hamas's main artery." This statement highlights the critical role Qatar’s funding played in sustaining Hamas operations.
Shifting Influence in Gaza: Egypt to Qatar
The documents also reveal efforts by Hamas and Qatar to edge Egypt out as Gaza’s principal mediator. Yahya Sinwar, then Hamas’s leader in Gaza, pointed to this shift in May 2021, asserting, "The Egyptians tried to contain escalation, but we managed to push them out empty-handed. Qatar took their place and gained leverage in diplomacy."
Qatar’s Role in Regional Political Movements
Additional materials suggest Qatar helped facilitate the travel of Hamas leaders to Tehran for the funeral of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed gratitude to Qatar in a message dated just days after the event.
Separately, the late Khaled Mashal, killed last year during an Israeli airstrike at an event in Tehran, was reportedly transported back to Qatar for burial, underscoring the close ties between Hamas and Qatar.
Official Denials and Controversy
The government of Qatar has strongly denied the authenticity of these documents, dismissing them as "fabricated" with an aim to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. They criticized the alleged leaks as a repeated tactic by those opposed to peaceful negotiations in the region.
Context: Understanding the 2020 Peace Plan
Donald Trump’s 2020 'Peace to Prosperity' plan sought to establish a two-state solution by creating a recognized Palestinian state alongside Israel. Key features included Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and major West Bank settlements, with Palestinians offered parts of East Jerusalem as their capital and a pledge of $50 billion in global investments to boost economic development.
In exchange, Palestinians were expected to renounce violence and accept Israel as a Jewish state. The plan stipulated that Palestinian refugees would not be permitted to return to Israel but could receive compensation or resettle elsewhere.
While Israel endorsed the plan, Palestinian leaders rejected it outright, expressing concerns over what they perceived as a disproportionate advantage given to Israel.
Looking Ahead
This trove of documents adds a complex layer to ongoing Middle East diplomacy, highlighting the interplay between regional powers and the challenges in achieving lasting peace. Whether these revelations will impact future negotiations remains to be seen, but the intricacies of international influence and political maneuvering are clearer than ever.
