Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, this evening, Sunday, to hold talks regarding a ceasefire in Gaza with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatar is actively leading mediation efforts and hosts several leaders of the Hamas movement. The Palestinian news agency (Wafa) reported that Abbas will meet with the Emir of Qatar tomorrow, Monday, but did not mention any anticipated meetings with Hamas leaders.
There are ongoing disagreements between Hamas and the Fatah movement in the West Bank, led by Abbas. The Palestinian Ambassador to Qatar, Munir Ghannam, stated on Palestine Voice Radio today that Abbas and the Emir of Qatar will discuss efforts to cease fire in Gaza and ways to increase aid for the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip.
Ghannam clarified, "Qatar plays an important role in mediation efforts and international endeavors aimed at achieving a ceasefire, thus coordination with them is particularly significant, along with the Arab Republic of Egypt, to put an end to this ongoing aggression against our people." Qatar is hosting the head of Hamas's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, and the head of the movement's political bureau abroad, Khaled Mishal.
