US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will attend in Lusail, Qatar on October 13. Credit: Jacqueline Martin/Reuters

The small state of Qatar, in Persian GulfOnce again occupying the center World DiplomacyThis time for Hamas’ efforts to broker deals to free hostages and evacuate foreign nationals from Gaza during its October 7 attacks on Israel.

On Wednesday, Qatar negotiated a Agreement between Israel, Hamas and Egypt, in coordination with the United States, to release foreign nationals and seriously injured Palestinian civilians from Gaza to Egypt, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The deal is independent of the hostage negotiations, the source added.

Officials on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing said at least 110 foreign passport holders had left Gaza. According to Al-Qahera News, Al-Arish Hospital in Egypt has also started receiving injured Palestinians crossing from Gaza.

Qatar is a country A delicate diplomatic positionA position that has worked in his favor so far, according to experts, makes him an indispensable ally to Washington.

The gas-rich monarchy maintains ties with Hamas, while also being one of America’s closest allies in the region. Meanwhile, he also maintains secondary contacts with Israel.

On the nature of Qatar’s relationship with Hamas: Following the riots Arab Spring 2011Qatar has distanced itself from some of its Arab neighbors after supporting the rebels trying to overthrow the regimes of several Arab countries.

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

In 2012 Iran-backed Hamas allowed it to establish a political office in Doha, which remains operational. Even Qatar pay salary For the public sector in Gaza, part of the scholarship 30 million USD per month Fuel for households and electricity, according to Reuters.

It maintains close relations with the West Energy providerIt is increasingly important as one of the world’s largest gas producers and plays a key role in US arms purchases.

But some have said Qatar’s relationship with Hamas could become a liability. Doha has been criticized by Israel and Western politicians for its ties to Hamas.

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

In response, Qatar said it was “surprised and appalled” by the Israeli minister’s comments, particularly as “Qatar seeks to release prisoners and de-escalate tensions.”