Qatar resumes Gaza cease-fire mediation after month-long pause

CAIRO (AA) – Qatar has recommitted to mediating the Gaza cease-fire negotiations, said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during the opening of the 22nd Doha Forum.

Qatar had suspended its mediation efforts nearly a month ago, citing a lack of “seriousness” from the parties involved in the negotiations.

Sheikh Mohammed said that Qatar’s decision to re-enter the talks was driven by a renewed momentum in the negotiations, particularly following the election of US President Donald Trump.

The Qatari Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing that its impact is spreading to neighboring Lebanon and Syria. He underscored the urgent need to make every possible effort to end the suffering of the people in Gaza.

The Doha Forum 2024, which will span two days, is being held in Doha under the theme “The Inevitability of Innovation.” Over 4,500 participants from more than 150 countries, including seven heads of state, seven prime ministers, and 15 foreign ministers, are attending the event.

Mediation efforts led by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a cease-fire and a prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have so far failed due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the war on Gaza.

Israel has killed more than 44,600 people, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October last year.

Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.