DOHA (Reuters) - Qatar will stop trying to mediate a Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas and Israel "demonstrate a sincere willingness to return to the negotiating table", an official briefed on the matter told Reuters on Saturday.

Qatar has withdrawn as a key mediator for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal and warned Hamas that its Doha office ‘no longer serves its purpose’, a diplomatic source has said. The country has also told the terror group to leave the country, after the US complained they should not be able to seek refuge in the Gulf country.

The Qataris informed both the Israelis and Hamas that as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith, they cannot continue to mediate,” a diplomatic source said