Qatar is withdrawing from its role of mediating a hostage release deal between the Hamas terror group and Israel via the US, an official familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

The report was confirmed by Qatar on Motzei Shabbos, with its foreign ministry issuing a statement saying: “The State of Qatar notified the parties 10 days ago during the last attempts to reach an agreement, that it would stall its efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel if an agreement was not reached in that round.”

“Qatar will resume those efforts with its partners when the parties show their willingness and seriousness to end the brutal war and the ongoing suffering of civilians caused by catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the Strip, [and will] be at the forefront of making every good effort to end the war and return the hostages and prisoners.”

On Friday, Israel’s Kan News reported that Qatar is ousting Hamas officials from its territory.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat responded to the report by stating: “Qatar has never been a mediator; it is the advocate of Hamas, the financer and protector of the terror organization. Qatar is an ally of Iran, inciting against the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in spreading terror and hatred towards Israel. Finally, we see the wolf that disguised itself as a lamb. Now, after Trump won the election, this is the opportunity to act forcefully against Qatar.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)