Watan-Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani revealed that ceasefire talks in Gaza are at a standstill, confirming that the Rafah operation has set things back.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman stated during the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha: “In the past few weeks, we have witnessed some growing momentum, but unfortunately, things have not moved in the right direction, and we are now almost at a standstill. Of course, what happened in Rafah has set us back.”
He added that Qatar continues to mediate between Israel and Hamas, noting that Doha has not stopped negotiations despite the existing challenges, as reported by Reuters.
Future of Hamas Office in Doha
Regarding the future of Hamas’ office in Doha, he said: “As long as there is a need for communication, there is no room for speculation about Hamas’ future in Qatar.”
The Qatari Prime Minister emphasized that Hamas’ office in Doha will remain open as long as the war continues and there is a need to communicate with the movement, noting that there must be a single Palestinian government in both the West Bank and Gaza based on Palestinian consensus.
While revealing that the reconstruction of Gaza requires $40 to $50 billion, he affirmed that there are risks of the conflict spreading in the region, explaining that a ceasefire must be established in Gaza and atrocities committed against Palestinians must be stopped.
He pointed out that there is ambiguity from the Israeli side regarding how to stop the war, stressing that Qatar will continue to work and press for an agreement to halt the ceasefire.
He emphasized that everyone is focused on the current mediation, stopping the war, and recovering the prisoners, saying: “We do not want to be exploited as mediators, and we have clarified to everyone that our role is limited to mediation.”
Destructive Israeli War Continues on Gaza
The Israeli occupation army continues its destructive war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of martyrs and casualties, most of them children and women.
The occupation army continues its war despite a decision from the United Nations Security Council to immediately cease hostilities, as well as despite the International Court of Justice calling for immediate measures to prevent “genocide” and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.