Qatar Calls for Swift Negotiations as Gaza Ceasefire Enters Next Phase
By The Media Line Staff
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday called on both Israel and Hamas to immediately begin negotiations on phase two of the Gaza ceasefire. Speaking at a press conference in Doha alongside Turkey’s foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the ceasefire agreement requires both parties to engage without delay.
“We demand Hamas and Israel engage immediately as stipulated in the agreement,” he said, emphasizing the urgency to launch talks before the 16th day of phase one—set to expire on Monday. The complex three-phase ceasefire, reached last month, has already halted fighting in Gaza. Under the accord, Hamas has released 18 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, yet more than 70 hostages remain in captivity.
The second phase is expected to involve the complete release of all remaining hostages, a permanent cessation of hostilities, and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, Sheikh Mohammed noted that there is no clear plan regarding when or where the new delegations will meet. “There is nothing yet clear about where the delegations will come and when it’s going to take place,” he stated.
Mediators have already been in contact with both sides by phone, and Qatar has prepared an agenda for the next phase. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that negotiations on phase two are set to begin on Monday in Washington during his meeting with US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff is expected to then engage with officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have played key roles in mediating the ceasefire over the past 15 months.
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