Doha: Qatar, Egypt, and the US are steadfast in their efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, as stated by Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday. "We are continuing with Egypt and the US for efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza," Sheikh Mohammed remarked during his address at the opening of the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha. He emphasized the ongoing commitment to mediate an agreement aimed at ending the conflict and facilitating the return of hostages to their families.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Qatari prime minister highlighted that negotiations are the sole path to ending the war, but these efforts have been consistently "sabotaged and manipulated." Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that Israel's military actions in Gaza have severely hindered peace efforts, particularly after the release of Israeli American captive Edan Alexander.
"When Israeli American soldier Edan Alexander was released, we thought that moment would open a door to end this tragedy, but the response was a more violent wave of strikes," he explained. Alexander's release, facilitated by talks led by US President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was followed by intensified Israeli air assaults in Gaza. These strikes resulted in over 500 Palestinian deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Despite international pleas for a ceasefire, the Israeli military has continued its aggressive campaign in Gaza since October 2023, leading to the deaths of nearly 53,500 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.