Israeli invasion of Rafah set ceasefire negotiations back: Qatari PM
3 Min Read
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani says that a single Palestinian government should exist in both the West Bank and Gaza based on a Palestinian consensus.
-
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani speaks during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at Diwan Annex, in Doha, Qatar, Tuesday, February 6, 2024. (AP)
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani confirmed that the Israeli invasion of Rafah caused a setback in the negotiations on a truce in Gaza.
During the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha today, the Qatari Prime Minister said in the past few weeks, an increasing momentum was witnessed, but unfortunately, things have not moved in the right direction, and "we are now almost in a state of stagnation."
He emphasized the Israeli occupation is unclear on how it will stop the war on Gaza adding that his country will continue to mediate between the Palestinian Resistance and "Israel" regarding a ceasefire, and will not halt negotiations despite all the challenges.
Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani stressed that the office of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas in Doha will remain open as long as the war continues, and that there is a need to communicate with the movement.
He also communicated Qatar's stance that a single Palestinian government should exist in both the West Bank and Gaza based on a Palestinian consensus.
Read more: Palestinian Resistance to reconsider negotiating strategy: Hamas
Biden remarks on captives 'setback' for ceasefire negotiations: Hamas
Hamas said on May 12 that it followed "with dismay" the remarks made by President Biden that a ceasefire in Gaza would be possible if the movement released the Israeli captives, calling the statements a "setback" to negotiations.
"We condemn this position by the US President, which we consider a setback from the outcomes of the latest round of negotiations, which led to the movement's agreement to the proposal put forward by mediators" in Egypt and Qatar, with the knowledge and oversight of the American mediator, Hamas expressed in a statement.
Biden claimed on May 11 that a ceasefire in Gaza would be possible "tomorrow" if Hamas released the captives it held on October 7.
"Israel said it's up to Hamas, if they wanted to do it, we could end it tomorrow. And the ceasefire would begin tomorrow," the US President told the crowd of about 100 people at a fundraiser outside Seattle.
Meanwhile, Hamas affirmed that it has shown the necessary flexibility at all stages of the talks to halt the Israeli aggression and move toward achieving an agreement.
This approach, according to the movement, was crowned by agreeing to the latest proposal, before Netanyahu and his government "rushed to overturn" this course by launching their aggression on the Palestinian people in Rafah, Jabalia, and Gaza, while also disregarding the lives of Israeli captives.
Hamas also accused the Israeli occupation government of "escalating their brutal massacres in various areas of the Gaza Strip" and "reaffirming their pursuit of continuing the genocidal war in Gaza."
