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Qatar: monthly report February 2024

In February, Doha reaffirms its role as a mediator in the Gaza crisis and a prisoner exchange in Ukraine. Additionally, Qatar and the United States express their intent to implement the October agreement with Iran. On the economic front, a strengthened partnership with France emerges.

While negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza are at a standstill, Doha continues to play a crucial role at achieving a ceasefire. In February, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, held numerous meetings regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip and efforts to secure a truce. On February 12, the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mahmoud Abbas, met with Emir Al-Thani in Doha. The visit confirms the close ties between the emirate and the Palestinian establishment. During the meeting, Abbas highlighted the high danger of a potential Israeli operation in Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are located. In the following days, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met with the head of Hamas' political office, Isma'il Haniyeh, in Doha, where they discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the imminent Israeli operation in Rafah. On Tuesday, February 27, the Emir of Qatar traveled to Paris, where he participated in further negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange in Gaza. The meetings also involved high-ranking Israeli, American, and Egyptian officials. The proposal includes a ceasefire lasting at least six weeks and the release of 40 Israeli hostages held by Hamas and 400 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

Qatar's mediation also comes into play concerning the war in Ukraine. On Monday, February 19, eleven Ukrainian children aged between two and sixteen were released by the Russians. After being hosted at the Qatari embassy in Moscow, they transited through Belarus and later returned to Ukraine. Russian sources claim that, through similar procedures, 59 children have been released by Moscow and repatriated to Ukraine.

In a phone call between the Qatari Prime Minister and the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the former confirmed Doha and Washington's commitment to implementing the agreement reached in October with the Islamic Republic. The agreement led to the exchange of five prisoners between Iran and the United States and includes the unfreezing of six billion dollars in Iranian funds subject to sanctions. Despite Doha's reassurances, in November, Washington blocked Iranian access to the funds with a resolution passed by the House of Representatives in response to Iran's alleged role in the October 7 attacks. It is essential to note that, although the funds were supposed to be used by Tehran for food supplies for its population, there is no effective way to verify their use.

Finally, relations between France and Qatar are strengthened on the economic front. During Al-Thani's visit to France, the two countries signed a strategic partnership, with Doha committing to invest €10 billion in French start-ups and investment funds between 2024 and 2030. Qatari investments will focus on renewable energy, semiconductors, aerospace, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and culture. On the sidelines of the meeting, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani inaugurated the bilateral economic forum, an instrument used to enhance commercial exchange by facilitating dialogue between businesses from both countries.

Download the February 2024 report

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Med-Or Leonardo Foundation: Chairman Marco Minniti visited the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain

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