DOHA: Negotiations on consolidating the US-backed truce in the war in Gaza are at a “critical” moment, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said on Saturday.
Mediators are working to force the next phase of ceasefire forward, the Qatari prime minister, whose country has been a key mediator in the war, said during a panel at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar.
“We are at a critical moment. It’s not yet there. So what we have just done is a pause,” Al-Thani said, referring to violence subsiding after the Gaza truce took effect nearly a month ago.
“We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire. A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces — (until) there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out — which is not the case today.”
Talks on achieving the next stages of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the two-year war in the Palestinian enclave have been ongoing.
The plan calls for an interim technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, overseen by an international “board of peace” and backed by an international security force. Agreeing on the makeup and mandate of the international security force has been particularly challenging.
On Thursday, an Israeli delegation held talks in Cairo with mediators on the immediate return of the last hostage held in Gaza, which would complete a key initial part of Trump’s plan.
Since the fragile truce started, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and 27 bodies in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners.
Violence has tailed off since the October 10 ceasefire but Israel has continued to strike Gaza and conduct demolitions of what it says is Hamas infrastructure. Hamas and Israel have traded blame for violating the US-backed agreement.
Qatar PM says Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel
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Qatar PM says Gaza truce incomplete without ‘full withdrawal’ by Israel
- Gaza talks at critical moment, ceasefire not complete, Qatar's prime minister says
Military coalition in Yemen condemns attack on commander’s convoy
- Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice
RIYADH: The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen condemned on Wednesday an attack that targeted the convoy of a senior commander.
The attack in the Jaoula area of Lahj governorate targeted vehicles under the command of Brigadier General Hamdi Shukri, who heads the second division of the Giants Forces.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said there were numerous deaths injuries and called the ambush “a criminal act that is contrary to all human and moral values.”
He said the coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, will continue coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure the security of citizens and maintain stability, Saudi Press Agency reported.
He called for people to work with the Yemeni government and military authorities to confront any sabotage attempts or terrorist operations targeting the security and stability of liberated governorates.
Al-Maliki also said the coalition is committed to supporting Yemeni security efforts and pursuing those involved in the attack and bringing them to justice.
