What’s happening:

Recent interactions between Israeli and Qatari leaders, including a meeting between President Isaac Herzog and Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, alongside negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages, have highlighted the intricate relationship between the two nations.

Why it matters:

Qatar’s dual role as a host for Hamas leaders and mediator in conflicts involving Israel places it in a unique position that has both cooperative and adversarial elements. This complexity shapes the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and impacts Israel’s strategic decisions.

The backdrop:

Israel and Qatar have engaged in a mix of clandestine and official relations since the Oslo Accords in 1993. While they’ve seen periods of closer ties, including the establishment of trade offices and coordination on regional issues, their relationship has also been strained by Qatar’s support for Hamas and criticism of Israel via the Al Jazeera network.

The big picture:

Qatar’s broad connections, including with the United States, and its strategic use of soft diplomacy and mediation have afforded it significant global influence. The country’s relationship with Israel is best described as frenemies, indicating a complex mix of cooperation and competition.

Between the lines:

Israel is concerned about Qatar’s influence in Gaza post-conflict and seeks to minimize it, potentially looking to other regional powers like Saudi Arabia as alternatives. However, the benefits of engaging with Qatar, such as facilitating hostage releases, cannot be ignored.

Bottom line:

The nuanced relationship between Israel and Qatar reflects the intricate and often paradoxical nature of Middle East diplomacy, where alliances are not always clear-cut and long-term strategic interests often outweigh ideological differences.

This story was first published on jpost.com.