Qatar announced Saturday that it has paused its role as a mediator for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas due to a lack of willingness by the sides to reach an agreement.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the remaining Hamas leadership hosted by Qatar must leave. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Qatar has decided to suspend its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel,

The announcement comes after growing frustration with the lack of progress on a cease-fire deal. But one official said Saturday that Qatar is highly likely to return to the efforts if both sides show “serious political willingness” to reach a deal on the war in Gaza.

Qatar says it stalled mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas. NBC News’ Daniele Hamamdjian explains Qatar’s role in negotiations and what this means for a ceasefire.

Qatar is suspending its role as a mediator in talks between Israel and Hamas after concluding that the two sides are no longer negotiating in good faith, its foreign ministry said Saturday.

Doha believes that Hamas and Israel have not demonstrated a "sincere willingness" to negotiate terms amid the ongoing war.

Qatar has suspended its key mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel, it said Saturday, after growing frustration with the lack of progress on a cease-fire deal for Gaza.