Qatari Leader Declares Gaza Ceasefire at Critical Juncture

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, indicated on Saturday that the ceasefire in Gaza has reached a “critical moment” as its initial phase approaches completion. Speaking at the Doha Forum, he noted that only one Israeli hostage remains captive, underscoring the precarious nature of the current situation.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the recent pause in hostilities should not be regarded as a full ceasefire. “What we have just done is a pause,” he stated, adding that a true ceasefire requires the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to stability in Gaza, which he asserted is not currently the case. He remarked, “A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.”

Current Situation in Gaza

Despite the halt in heavy fighting, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began on October 10, 2023. Recent violence saw two Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike in the northwest of Gaza City, according to the Shifa Hospital.

While there has been no immediate comment from Israeli officials, the Israeli army confirmed it has conducted attacks on Palestinians attempting to cross the ceasefire lines into Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza. The ongoing violence highlights the fragile nature of the peace process.

Looking Ahead to the Next Phase

The first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan took effect on October 10, leading to a cessation of fighting and the exchange of dozens of hostages for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. A delegation from Israel recently traveled to Egypt to negotiate the return of the last Israeli hostage’s remains. However, the next phase, which includes deploying an international security force and the establishment of a new technocratic government in Gaza, has yet to commence.

According to multiple Arab and Western officials, an international body to oversee the ceasefire, potentially led by Trump, is anticipated to be appointed by the end of the year. Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of addressing the broader issues at play: “If we are just resolving what happened in Gaza, the catastrophe that happened in the last two years, it’s not enough.”

He highlighted the need for a lasting peace that includes the establishment of a Palestinian state, a notion that faces opposition from Israel’s hard-line government. “It’s about Gaza. It’s about the West Bank. It’s about the rights of the Palestinians for their state,” he remarked, emphasizing the necessity for cooperation with the U.S. administration to realize this vision.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, also present at the forum, raised concerns regarding the formation of an international security force for Gaza. He pointed out that uncertainties remain about which countries would participate, the command structure, and the mission’s objectives. Turkey has been designated as one of the “guarantors” of the ceasefire, although Israel has opposed any Turkish involvement.

Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, more than 70,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The ministry, linked to Gaza’s Hamas government, provides figures considered reliable by the United Nations and other international bodies. Israel has accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields throughout the conflict.

The situation remains fluid, with significant challenges ahead in achieving a sustainable peace in the region. The international community continues to monitor developments closely as efforts to navigate the complexities of the ceasefire proceed.