Qatar Calls Dialogue With Non-State Actors as Key to Lasting Peace
DOHA:
Amid escalating conflicts stretching from Afghanistan to Gaza, Qatar on Sunday renewed its call for inclusive political engagement, emphasising that durable peace is impossible without dialogue with non-state actors. Speaking at the 23rd Doha Forum, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that meaningful progress in conflict zones requires open channels of communication with all groups operating on the ground, including those often shunned by Western powers.
Addressing a high-profile session moderated by American journalist Tucker Carlson, Sheikh Mohammed warned that regional crises cannot be resolved by sidelining influential armed groups. “You cannot resolve or reach a solution if you have no one speaking to non-state actors,” he said, stressing that political realities demand engagement rather than isolation.
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US-Requested Engagement With Hamas and Taliban
The prime minister explained that Qatar’s approach to mediation has long been built on the principle of inclusive diplomacy—a strategy that has shaped Doha’s involvement in negotiations across the Middle East and South Asia. He revealed that Qatar’s early engagement with Hamas more than a decade ago began at the request of the United States, which sought a reliable communication link with the Palestinian group.
“When they moved their office back in 2012 here, it was used only for communication and to facilitate ceasefires and aid to Gaza,” he said.
Similarly, he noted that the Taliban’s political office in Doha, established in 2013, was also set up following a US request. The office later hosted years of dialogue between Taliban leaders, American officials, and Afghan representatives, leading to the Doha Agreement and the eventual withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.
“These experiences highlight the necessity of a neutral platform for engagement with actors who hold real influence on the ground,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Qatar Rejects Accusations of Funding Hamas
Responding to claims that Qatari humanitarian funds for Gaza had been diverted to Hamas, the prime minister strongly denied the allegations. He said all assistance went transparently to the people of Gaza, with oversight from the United States and facilitation by Israel.
“All our aid, financing, and support went to the people in Gaza, and it was a very transparent process that the United States is very aware of,” he said. “Politicians are trying to use this for short-term political gains … to fuel their narratives.”
He added that Israel itself played a role in distributing humanitarian funds and assistance into the besieged coastal territory.
Mediation Achievements and Regional Role
Highlighting Qatar’s mediation record, Sheikh Mohammed said Doha has repeatedly helped secure ceasefires, humanitarian pauses, hostage releases, and evacuation arrangements in Gaza and other conflict zones. Qatar is also among the key states working to ease tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime.
This year’s Doha Forum drew over 5,000 participants from 162 countries, including heads of state, foreign ministers, scholars, economists, and representatives from international organisations. The event focused on global governance, humanitarian crises, conflict resolution, and economic uncertainties.
Israeli Strike on Qatari Territory Condemned
The prime minister also addressed the Israeli strike on Qatari territory in September, calling it a serious violation of diplomatic norms and an unprecedented act targeting a mediator.
“The mediator being bombed by one of the parties – this has been unprecedented,” he said. “It was an unethical move.”
He added that former US President Donald Trump expressed “frustration” and “disappointment” when briefed on the incident, acknowledging Qatar’s constructive role in peace efforts.
Gaza Reconstruction and International Double Standards**
On the devastation in Gaza following Israel’s two-year military campaign, Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar’s commitment to humanitarian assistance but insisted that the responsibility for reconstruction lies with the party responsible for the destruction.
“We will do whatever to alleviate their suffering,” he said. “But we will not write the cheque for what others destroyed.”
He criticised the international community for what he described as a double standard—pointing to calls for Russia to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction while avoiding similar demands of Israel regarding Gaza.
According to UN estimates, 92% of Gaza’s residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, generating up to 60 million tonnes of rubble. Experts warn that rebuilding could take decades.
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Opposition to Forced Displacement of Palestinians
Sheikh Mohammed also reaffirmed Qatar’s strong opposition to any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
“It’s hurting us when we hear people talking about the people of Gaza as some sort of different people,” he said. “They have the choice where to go, and they don’t want to leave their country. I don’t see anyone has the right to deport them or to force them to go somewhere else.”
He insisted that Palestinians should not be treated as a population that can be “reshuffled or relocated” to suit geopolitical interests.
Reasserting Qatar’s commitment to mediation and humanitarian diplomacy, Sheikh Mohammed said Doha would continue working with all sides to promote stability and uphold the rights of vulnerable populations. He stressed once again that genuine peace in the region requires engagement with every actor involved—state or non-state—because peace cannot be built by ignoring those who hold real influence on the ground.
