Qatari representatives announced Friday that their country would be suspending ties with Israel due to the Cast Lead operation in Gaza. The announcement was made at an Arab summit in Qatar that was attended by Hamas head Khaled Mashaal and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Qatar does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, but has conducted trade with Israel, and Qatari leaders have spoken with Israeli leaders.

Mauritanian officials spoke at the same summit and said their country would freeze ties with Israel as well. Mauritania and Israel had full diplomatic ties.