Qatar’s warning that it was reassessing its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas has raised concerns about the prospects for a ceasefire and the return of hostages, according to AFP.

With months of further negotiations failing to win a truce, and with Qatar facing criticism notably from Israel, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Wednesday it was time for a “complete re-evaluation” of its role.

Qatar has rebuffed Israeli criticism of its mediation, including by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for months.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Qatari embassy in Washington also hit out at Congressman Steny Hoyer, the top-ranking Democrat in the US House of Representatives, who has urged the administration to rethink its relationship with Qatar, and called on Doha to pressure Hamas for a hostage release.

Without naming any individuals, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar had been the victim of “points-scoring” by “politicians who are trying to conduct election campaigns by slighting the State of Qatar”.