Negotiations

Two Filipino doctors working for the humanitarian group Doctors without Borders were among the first to be allowed out of Gaza under a breakthrough agreement brokered by Qatar. The agreement makes possible the evacuation of 7,000 foreign citizens from more than 60 countries.

In addition to those holding foreign passports, the deal allows critically wounded Palestinians to exit through the Rafah crossing for medical care on the Egyptian side. Because of Israel’s objections, wounded Hamas militants do not qualify for evacuation.

Over the past three weeks, while heavy fighting was going on, Qatar has used its good offices for negotiations to take place. Qatar is also involved in negotiating the release of the 240 hostages taken by militants last Oct. 7.

The deal that makes possible the evacuation of 7,000 foreigners from Gaza proves that diplomacy can continue to function even as missiles are flying overhead. Other than Qatar and Hamas, other parties to the deal were Egypt, Israel and the US.

Qatar has some influence over Hamas. For years, the wealthy Gulf state delivered vital aid to the Palestinians, including underwriting Gaza’s public payroll. Qatar also hosted the international offices of Hamas.

If Gaza is ever to be rebuilt, the Palestinians will have to turn to wealthy economies such as Qatar for help. Gaza, as we know, is a territory without any agriculture nor industry. It has been maintained entirely by aid flows. In all the years Hamas controlled Gaza, the militants did nothing to help Palestinians help themselves. They dug tunnels and funneled international assistance to build up their armory rather than build a self-reliant economy.

I had the chance years ago to visit the Israel-Gaza border. On the Israeli side, there is lush agriculture. On the Palestinian side, there is only dry soil and teeming masses shamelessly dependent on the flow of dole-outs.

Diplomacy is a scarce commodity in the Middle East these days. The diplomatic line maintained by Qatar is precious.

After Israel bombed a crowded refugee camp a few days ago, Bolivia cut diplomatic relations with Israel. Two other South American countries and neighboring Jordan recalled their ambassadors