Qatar would withdraw as a key mediator for Gaza negotiations unless Israel and Hamas fully committed to ceasefire efforts, a diplomatic source told AFP, in the biggest setback to efforts to reach a truce since the war started over a year ago.

“The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate,” the source said on condition of anonymity.

“As a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose.” 

Qatar, with the United Sates and Egypt, has been engaged in months of fruitless negotiations to secure a deal that would end the war in Gaza and release the Israeli captives held by Hamas.

The source said Qatar had already “notified both sides, Israel and Hamas as well as the US administration” of its decision.

“The Qataris conveyed to the US administration that they would be ready to re-engage in mediation when both sides…demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table,” the source added.

A senior Hamas official told AFP that the group had not received any indication from Qatar that it should leave the country.

“We have nothing to confirm or deny regarding what was published by an unidentified diplomatic source and we have not received any request to leave Qatar,” the official said from Doha.