Geopolitical Monitor.
Just few weeks before the beginning of the Operation Pillar of Defense, the emir of Qatar became
the first head of state to officially visit the Palestinian enclave of
Gaza, ending more than five years of diplomatic isolation for Hamas-
since the Hamas-Fatah conflict broke out. This visit represents a new
set of challenges for Palestinian unity and for the region’s
geopolitical equilibrium as well.
The emir's visit is part of a wider Qatari policy to raise the country’s international profile by way of its sizable fiscal resources. Doha has indeed opened its wallet, vowing $250 million earlier this year- a sum that was increased to $400 million upon the emir's arrival in Gaza. Though such a sum of money will be seen as important by the government in Gaza, it is markedly less so for Doha.
Last year, Qatar became one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East thanks to its large natural gas and oil reserves.
Money is not the most important point of Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani's trip. The emir’s visit has to be seen in a wider context: by breaking Hamas' isolation and the de-facto recognition of its leadership in Gaza, Doha has strengthened the militant group against its West Bank counterpart- Fatah- threatening to deepen the estrangement between the two political factions. Hamas can now count on Qatari money and, as events have recently shown, Egyptian support in the diplomatic realm. Consequently, the potential for peace with Tel Aviv will be adversely affected as the idea of two-party peace talks becomes less and less realistic.
The emir's visit is part of a wider Qatari policy to raise the country’s international profile by way of its sizable fiscal resources. Doha has indeed opened its wallet, vowing $250 million earlier this year- a sum that was increased to $400 million upon the emir's arrival in Gaza. Though such a sum of money will be seen as important by the government in Gaza, it is markedly less so for Doha.
Last year, Qatar became one of the fastest growing economies in the Middle East thanks to its large natural gas and oil reserves.
Money is not the most important point of Sheik Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani's trip. The emir’s visit has to be seen in a wider context: by breaking Hamas' isolation and the de-facto recognition of its leadership in Gaza, Doha has strengthened the militant group against its West Bank counterpart- Fatah- threatening to deepen the estrangement between the two political factions. Hamas can now count on Qatari money and, as events have recently shown, Egyptian support in the diplomatic realm. Consequently, the potential for peace with Tel Aviv will be adversely affected as the idea of two-party peace talks becomes less and less realistic.
