Qatar intensifies efforts to mediate ceasefire deal amid stalemate
3 Min Read
Qatar extends its hand in light of the existing stalemate in the ceasefire negotiations to get the ball rolling again.
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Palestinians carry a person killed by Israeli bombardment to their burial in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP)
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced Friday that his country, in collaboration with the US and Egypt, has been intensifying efforts to broker a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Madrid, Al Thani stressed Qatar's commitment to bridging the gap in the talks that have been stuck for weeks.
"We have continued our efforts without interruption over the last few days," Al Thani stated. "There have been several meetings with the Hamas leadership to try to bridge the gap between the two parties and reach an agreement that will lead to a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages."
Read more: 'Israel' hasn't come close to 'destroying Hamas': US official to CBS
The negotiations are based on a proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden on May 31, which advocates for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from major population centers in Gaza and a six-week ceasefire, extendable if needed to secure a lasting agreement.
"Efforts are continuing, but so far we have not reached a formula that we feel is the most appropriate and closest to what has been presented," Al Thani added. "As soon as this is done, we will communicate with the Israeli side to try to bridge the gap and reach an agreement as quickly as possible."
In response to Qatar's initiative, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed openness to "any document or initiative that ensures the foundations of the resistance's position in ceasefire negotiations."
Read more: Hamas' power growing; 80% of tunnels in Gaza usable: Foreign Affairs
On Tuesday, "Israel" claimed it had authorized and finalized operational plans for a land and air offensive in Lebanon. On the same day, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would enhance prospects for a diplomatic solution on the Lebanese front, which is the quickest solution.
But he also alleged Hamas was responsible for causing delays, stating, "So we're working to see if we can bridge the gaps that Hamas is now created by not saying yes to the proposal that everyone else had agreed to that was endorsed by the UN Security Council, countries around the world, and we have the negotiators, the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and particularly working on this to see if we can bridge the gap."
Earlier on Friday, Blinken reaffirmed the US' unwavering support for "Israel's" security and stressed the necessity of preventing any further escalation on the northern front.
