Qatari PM Confirms Ongoing Gaza Ceasefire Mediation After Attacks

UPDATE: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has just confirmed that Qatar will maintain its crucial diplomatic role in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza, despite recent Israeli strikes in Doha. Speaking to the UN Security Council, Al-Thani stated, “We will continue our humanitarian and diplomatic role without any hesitation, in order to stop the bloodshed.”

This announcement comes as tensions escalate following unprecedented Israeli airstrikes on Doha, which have drawn international condemnation. The strikes, which occurred on October 17, 2023, have severely disrupted ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel, with significant implications for regional stability.

Officials from the Security Council expressed deep concern, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and solidarity with Qatar. The council condemned the strikes, though it refrained from directly naming Israel. The attack has shocked the region and is seen as a deliberate attempt to undermine Qatari mediation efforts.

In a poignant display of solidarity, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, attended funerals of those killed in the airstrikes. Mourners gathered at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, paying respects as coffins draped in Qatari and Palestinian flags were brought in. Security was heightened, with checkpoints established around the mosque, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Hamas officials have accused the United States of complicity in the strikes, labeling the attack as an “assassination of the entire negotiation process.” Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, stated, “This crime was a deliberate targeting of our mediating brothers in Qatar and Egypt.” The group reported that five of its members were killed, including the son of Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya.

The White House has distanced itself from the Israeli military action, with officials claiming that former President Trump was not informed prior to the strikes and expressed concerns immediately after learning of them. Despite Israel’s assertions that the strikes targeted Hamas leaders, reports indicate that many high-ranking officials survived.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Qatar’s next steps. Sheikh Mohammed has hinted at potential regional summits to address the ongoing crisis. The United Arab Emirates has reiterated that any aggression against a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state is an attack on collective Gulf security.

This developing story highlights the fragility of peace efforts in the region and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions. As Qatar reaffirms its role, the international community watches closely, aware that the stakes have never been higher.

Stay tuned for further updates on this critical situation as it evolves.