Qatar resumes talks with Hamas and Israel as Trump's emissary tries to gain ground.

The efforts to establish an Israel-Hamas cease-fire have intensified as Qatar has re-joined the negotiations, and President-elect Trump's Middle East envoy has commenced his diplomatic preparation by conferring with key regional leaders in an attempt to liberate the 100 hostages remaining in Gaza.

Steve Witkoff, appointed by Trump as his diplomatic representative in the volatile region, had discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in November.

Despite Witkoff's talks with Middle Eastern leaders, it is uncertain if any progress will be made in negotiations between Israel and the terrorist organization.

A source briefed on the talks stated that both parties agreed on the need for a Gaza cease-fire prior to the Trump inauguration in order for the Trump administration to focus on other issues, such as stabilizing the region after a year marked by conflict and turmoil.

Although the US official stated that Witkoff's meetings were to familiarize him with the situation rather than making any progress in the negotiations, Reuters reported on Thursday that more than a yearlong effort to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of 100 hostages, including seven Americans and three believed to be still alive after 425 days in captivity, had failed.

The Trump transition team and White House have not collaborated directly in the cease-fire negotiations, despite the White House keeping the transition team updated, according to a Reuters report.

On November 23, Netanyahu met with Witkoff, a real estate agent with no diplomatic experience and business ties to Qatar and other nations in the region, in Israel.

On the following day, David Barnea, the director of Israel's Mossad spy agency, journeyed to Vienna to confer with the Qatari prime minister about the requirements for reaching an agreement.

According to reports, Qatar has regained its position as the primary negotiator between Jerusalem and Hamas following the cessation of its involvement in the talks last month due to frustration over the lack of "good faith" negotiations between the two parties.

Qatar barred Hamas from its country after determining that the negotiations had become a discussion about appearance rather than genuine peace efforts.

According to Qatar's prime minister, the Hamas office in Doha remained open despite the departure of senior Hamas leaders involved in negotiations in mid-November, at the request of the U.S. and Israel.

"The U.S. and Israel requested Hamas' presence in Doha, which was done with transparency and coordination," Sheikh Mohammed stated in response to criticism about allowing a Hamas office in the country's capital.

The prime minister emphasized that maintaining open communication through Doha is essential for securing hostage exchanges in 2023 and aid delivery to hostages in Gaza in January 2024, and serves as a "channel of negotiation" for the future release of hostages, which he believes cannot be achieved through "military power."

On Monday, Trump stated that there would be consequences if the hostages were not freed before his inauguration on January 20, 2025, although he has not specified the actions he would take.

Qatar is working with all sides to resolve the crisis in Gaza before Trump takes office, according to Sheikh Mohammed, who told a British news outlet that achieving a cease-fire will require "maximum pressure" on all parties.