The Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced that negotiations aimed at establishing a truce in the Gaza Strip have stalled, largely due to the ongoing Israeli military operation in Rafah. This operation has severely impacted the momentum that had been building in recent weeks.
Qatar's Commitment to Mediation
Speaking at an economic forum in Doha, Al Thani expressed his disappointment with the recent turn of events.
"Especially in the last couple of weeks, we've seen some momentum, but unfortunately, things started to go in the wrong direction, and we're almost at a standstill now. Of course, what happened in Rafah has set us back," he explained.
Despite the challenges, Qatar remains committed to continuing its mediation efforts to resolve the conflict, now in its seventh month between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
"We make it clear to everyone: our work is limited to our mediation," Al Thani stated.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's recent operation in Rafah, which began earlier this month. This military action has blocked the main aid crossing point on the border with Egypt, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, as reported by Reuters.
The conflict escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of about 250 hostages, with around a hundred still in captivity. In response, Israel initiated a military operation targeting militants in Gaza.
The ongoing military actions have led to significant displacement within Gaza, with about 80% of the population forced to leave their homes. Hundreds of thousands are on the brink of starvation.
According to the Ministry of Health in the enclave, more than 30,000 Palestinians have died due to the conflict.
