Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani affirmed that the current escalation in Gaza will not lead to any progress regarding the release of the hostages. He added in statements today, Monday, that talks about the detainees are improving compared to previous weeks, and that Qatar made progress yesterday, Sunday, in laying the groundwork to move forward on this issue. He mentioned that the current phase of negotiations could lead to a permanent ceasefire in the future, emphasizing that Doha is not a party to the conflict and seeks to bridge the gap between the parties involved.
During his comments at a webinar organized by the Atlantic Council, he expressed hope to present a framework for such an agreement to the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) "and to bring them to a position that allows them to engage in constructive communication." He confirmed that the severity of the war has complicated the situation and noted that discussions have progressed to a point that could lead us to a ceasefire.
He indicated that it is unpredictable how Hamas will respond, but we are committed to continuing our efforts, reiterating that Qatar is a mediator trying to bridge the gap and cannot impose anything on either party. He said, "Qatar does not mediate with the Houthis but presses Iran to de-escalate the security situation in the region." He reaffirmed that the situation in Gaza is the key to a solution in the region.
