The spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry stated on Tuesday that Israel should have already halted its operations in Gaza, in accordance with US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative.
“Regarding the ceasefire, the Israeli occupation government should be asked first. They were expected to cease fire if the prime minister’s claims of adhering to the Trump plan were genuine,” Majed al-Ansari told reporters in Doha.
This week, Hamas and Israel are engaged in indirect negotiations in Egypt concerning Trump’s 20-point proposal to resolve the Gaza conflict and establish a post-war governance roadmap.
Stay informed with the latest updates. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Following Hamas’s agreement on Friday to discuss the release of hostages under Trump’s plan, the US president urged Israel to cease fire in Gaza, stating on his Truth Social platform: “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!”
Ansari expressed caution regarding the peace talks in Egypt.
“I am confident that this round of negotiations involves a strong commitment from all parties to reach a consensus, but there are numerous details to address,” he stated.
He emphasized that the plan’s provisions “require practical implementation on the ground, necessitating communication with all parties”.
He mentioned it was still “premature” to discuss the future of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha, following Israel’s strike on the group’s leadership in the Qatari capital last month.
The Hamas bureau, hosted by Qatar with US approval, has aided Doha in mediating the conflict, he added: “As long as there is a need for a communication channel with Hamas, there is a need for this.”
