Qatar’s top negotiator, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, expressed growing concern over the stalled ceasefire talks regarding Gaza, warning in a statement to AFP that further delays could make the situation worse. “This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day,” Al-Khulaifi stated.
The Qatari government, in coordination with the United States and Egypt, played a key role in establishing a short-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier this year. That arrangement ended in early March without any follow-up deal. After Hamas refused to prolong the truce and restricted the flow of aid, Israel resumed military activity on March 18.
According to recent accounts, Hamas turned down Israel’s proposal for a 45-day ceasefire that would have involved the release of 10 living hostages. Despite mounting international challenges, Al-Khulaifi affirmed that Qatar is still actively pursuing efforts to reestablish the ceasefire framework.
However, Qatar’s mediation has not been well received in all quarters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised doubts about Doha’s intentions, especially amid reports alleging that members of his inner circle accepted financial support from Qatar. The Qatari government has firmly denied these accusations, labeling them a “smear campaign.”
Al-Khulaifi responded directly to Netanyahu’s assertions, including claims that Qatar sponsors anti-American and anti-Zionist sentiment on U.S. university campuses. He refuted the charges, saying, “Everything we do is transparent.”
Apart from its Gaza involvement, Qatar has also been active in other diplomatic initiatives. Al-Khulaifi highlighted secret talks in Doha that contributed to calming tensions near the mineral-rich area of Walikale in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also mentioned that Qatar is working with the U.S. on efforts in Syria, including discussions about increasing civil servant salaries as part of stabilization measures.
{Matzav.com Israel}