Qatari leader warns that the Gaza ceasefire is in a critical moment

DOHA, Qatar Qatars Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated on Saturday that the Gaza ceasefire has entered a critical stage as its initial phase nears completion, with only one Israeli hostage still in the hands of militants in Gaza.

Speaking at an international conference in Doha, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that global mediators, led by the United States, are working diligently to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. What we have right now is merely a pause, he explained. We cannot yet call it a ceasefire.

He added, A genuine ceasefire requires the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, stability in Gaza, and the freedom of movement for its residents, which is not the case at present.

Despite the truce halting intense fighting, Gaza health officials report that more than 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since October, when the ceasefire took effect. Recently, two Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike northwest of Gaza City, according to Shifa Hospital. Israel has not commented, though its military said it has struck Palestinians crossing ceasefire lines into Israeli-controlled areas.

Second Phase Yet to Begin

The first stage of U.S. President Donald Trumps 20-point peace initiative started on October 10, resulting in a halt to hostilities and the exchange of dozens of hostages in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Israel recently sent a delegation to Egypt to negotiate the return of the last hostages remains.

The next phase, which involves deploying an international security force, forming a new technocratic Gaza government, disarming Hamas, and eventually withdrawing Israeli forces, has not yet started. Arab and Western officials have indicated that an international body to oversee the ceasefire, headed by Trump, could be established by year-end. The long-term plan also envisions a potential pathway to Palestinian independence.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that even the next stage should be temporary, noting that lasting peace is only achievable through the creation of a Palestinian statea goal opposed by Israel's current hard-line government. Addressing only the Gaza situation is not enough, he said. The root of this conflict extends beyond Gaza to the West Bank and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. We hope to collaborate with the U.S. to realize this vision.

Challenges for International Security Force

Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted uncertainty surrounding the planned international security force in Gaza, including which nations will participate, its command structure, and initial objectives. As one of the ceasefires guarantors, Turkey faces opposition from Israel, which refuses Turkish involvement. Thousands of details still need to be resolved, Fidan noted. Once the ISF is deployed, the rest will follow.

Conflict Toll

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants entered Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Israels response has resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Nearly half of the casualties were women and children. While Israel accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields, the Health Ministrys figures are considered credible by the U.N. and other international organizations.

Author: Riley Thompson