Qatar confirmed on Novmeber 19 that Hamas leaders involved in Gaza ceasefire negotiations "are not currently in Doha", while denying reports that it plans to close the Palestinian group's political office in the Persian Gulf state.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told reporters in Doha that Hamas negotiators "are not in Doha now and, as you know, they move between several capitals," Iraq’s Rudaw reported him as saying.

The statement comes after reports suggested Qatar had warned Hamas that its political office, hosted by the Gulf state since 2012 with US blessing, was no longer welcome, with earlier reports suggesting that the group had been forced out earlier in October.

"The Hamas office in Doha was established for the mediation process, and it's clear that when there is no mediation process, the office itself has no function," Al-Ansari said.

He added that "if a decision is made to permanently close Hamas's office, you will hear it from this platform or in a Foreign Ministry statement."

Al-Ansari told reporters that Qatar's suspension of mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas was due to "lack of seriousness from parties involved and opposition to making concessions."

The spokesman added that Qatar would "not hesitate to pursue an agreement to stop the war in Gaza when we feel there is serious intent."

A Hamas official told AFP on November 18 that "no one asked us to leave" and that political bureau members and various leadership figures make "coordinated visits to Turkey from time to time."

Hamas, despite being classed as a terror organisation by the US and the EU, has been permitted to have a representative office in Qatar for the past several years as an intermediary for the group. The former leader of the group. Ismael Haniyeh who was killed in an alleged Israel assassination in Tehran was formerly based in the Doha office.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, led mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas that resulted in a week-long truce in November 2023, enabling the release of hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

However, the Gulf state announced earlier this month it had suspended its mediation until "necessary seriousness" returns to negotiations.

"The moment there is seriousness, Qatar will not hesitate and will be proactive in playing a pivotal role in reaching an agreement," Al-Ansari said.

Following Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s raid on October 7, 2023, Israel’s retaliation has left 43,972 men women and children from Gaza dead, according to the latest data from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.