Qatar “hopes” for Gaza ceasefire before Ramadan, official says
Egypt, Qatar US mediators meet in Doha for talks attended by Israeli and Hamas representatives (File)
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Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that Qatar “hopes” for a Gaza ceasefire and is pushing for a deal before Ramadan.
The gas-rich Gulf state, which hosts Hamas’ political bureau, has been a key mediator in talks involving Palestinian militants, Israel, the United States and Egypt.
“We remain hopeful, not necessarily optimistic, that we can announce something today or tomorrow, but we hope we can reach some kind of agreement,” Majid al-Ansari told a regular briefing. “
“Clearly, we said that Ramadan is going to be an issue of contention, it is going to be an issue of confrontation, that we are going to insist on a pause before the start of Ramadan.
“We are all aiming towards that goal, but the situation on the ground is still volatile,” he said.
Ansari was speaking after US President Joe Biden said a new ceasefire and the release of hostages could begin as early as Monday, ahead of the Muslim holy month that begins around March 11.
“We have no agreement yet, we are still working on negotiations with all parties,” Ansari said.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says at least 29,878 people have been killed in Israel’s air, land and sea war against Hamas in response to deadly attacks on southern Israel on October 7.
Hamas attacked rural communities and military posts bordering the Gaza Strip, killing at least 1,160 people, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel says about 250 hostages were taken, of whom 130 are still in Gaza, although about 30 are believed dead.
More than 100 hostages were released after a week-long pause in fighting in November, including 80 Israelis who were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
State-linked Egyptian media said Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators met for talks in Doha on Sunday, which were also attended by Israeli and Hamas representatives.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN the Doha talks were followed by a meeting in Paris without Hamas, where delegates reached “an understanding among the four about what the basic framework of a hostage agreement for a temporary ceasefire would look like.” Made”. ,
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