Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has announced a slight advancement in efforts to establish a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas. During a press briefing in Doha, he noted, "a bit of progress" compared to previous attempts but emphasized the lack of a definitive solution to end the war. His comments follow crucial meetings, including one with Israel's Mossad chief David Barnea.
Recent interactions indicate that Hamas is showing a willingness to negotiate a lasting peace, particularly regarding the release of hostages. After rejecting an Israeli ceasefire proposal over a week ago, Hamas seems open to a new agreement, potentially involving the release of all remaining captives in exchange for a prolonged halt to hostilities—possibly lasting five years. Although Hamas has hinted at a willingness to disarm, this would be contingent upon Israel withdrawing its military forces from Gaza, a move that the Israeli government appears resistant to entertain.
The backdrop of the conflict includes a total Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since early March, with intensified air and ground assaults reported throughout the month. The humanitarian toll continues to escalate, with Hamas reporting over 2,150 Palestinian fatalities since the resumption of hostilities. On Israel’s side, the military has confirmed casualties, including the deaths of an Israeli soldier and a police officer over the past week.
During the recent talks, Sheikh Mohammed expressed frustration about the differing agendas of the involved parties, suggesting that the lack of a shared goal severely limits the prospects for a successful ceasefire. Hamas has expressed a conditional readiness to transfer all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the conflict, yet Israel demands hostages released without providing a strategy for resolving the ongoing turmoil.
Further complicating the landscape of governance in Gaza, a Palestinian official indicated that Hamas might be open to yielding control to a Palestinian entity, such as the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA), contingent on consensus at both local and regional levels. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu firmly opposes any involvement of the PA in Gaza and is against the establishment of a Palestinian state.
In a sharp critique during a recent meeting of the Palestinian Central Council, PA President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Hamas, characterizing them derogatorily and insisting they must disarm and release all hostages. The divided leadership and ongoing conflict have hindered the formation of a unified Palestinian front between Gaza and the West Bank.
The UN has raised alarm over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that aid resources have been depleted due to the Israeli blockade, which they assert violates international obligations to support the civilian populace. Sheikh Mohammed of Qatar condemned Israel's strategy as a "starvation" policy during his press conference as casualty figures in Gaza continue to climb, now reported at over 52,000, including many confirmed deaths among previously listed missing persons as violence escalates. The conflict reignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a significant cross-border incursion, resulting in heavy casualties and a large number of hostages taken by the group.
