The Qatari authorities plan to sustain efforts in collaboration with Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas to secure a more extended ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Mohamed al-Khulaifi, the Minister of State at the Emirate's Foreign Ministry, expressed this intention.
"Our mission is far from complete. We are committed to engage in further dialogue with all parties involved in the conflict, striving for de-escalation and an enduring period of ceasefire," he emphasized in an interview with US TV channel CNN, key insights of which have been shared on the Qatari Foreign Ministry's X social media page (formerly Twitter).
Al-Khulaifi emphasized that during the initial phases of the discussions, "even a temporary ceasefire was not considered by the Israelis." "We are not losing hope; our efforts extend beyond this stage," he added.
On November 22, Hamas announced a four-day agreement with Israel, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, to implement a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip. As per the terms, 50 women, alongside children and teenagers under the age of 19, are set to be released from the enclave in exchange for the liberation of 150 women, as well as children and teenagers under the age of 19, from Israeli prisons. Tzachi Hanegbi, the head of Israel's National Security Council, clarified that the process of releasing hostages in the Gaza Strip is scheduled to commence on November 24. Meanwhile, Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, the spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated on Thursday morning that the specific time for the Gaza Strip ceasefire to take effect will be announced in the coming hours.
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Based on materials from TASS