Qatar’s Prime Minister has warned that Gaza ceasefire talks are at a critical moment, with major challenges still ahead. He emphasized that a lasting ceasefire cannot be achieved until Israeli forces fully withdraw from the region.
The talks, involving Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States, aim to stabilize Gaza and prevent further escalation. The prime minister described the current situation as a temporary pause, not a final agreement. “We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire,” he said. “A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.”
Officials highlighted that movement in and out of Gaza remains restricted, leaving civilians trapped in unstable conditions. The ceasefire discussions are intended to restore basic stability, allowing humanitarian aid and people’s mobility in the area.
The conflict, he said, is rooted in broader issues beyond the immediate Gaza situation. “Resolving what happened in Gaza over the last two years is not enough. The root of this conflict also involves the West Bank and the rights of Palestinians to their state,” the Qatar PM added.
The planned deployment of an International Security Force (ISF) is central to the negotiations. The ISF’s primary objective, according to Qatar, will be to separate Palestinians and Israelis along key border areas. Details regarding participating countries, command structure, rules of engagement, and logistics are still under discussion.
Turkey has expressed readiness to contribute fully to the peace efforts. Other Gulf countries involved are also supporting coordination with the United States to move the talks forward.
Qatar’s Prime Minister stressed that expectations for the ISF must be realistic. “We need a nuanced understanding of the realities on the ground,” he said. The mission’s first priority is border separation, with other issues to be addressed later.
Despite progress, the talks face significant challenges. Formation of the ISF, the contributions of different countries, and operational logistics remain unresolved. Military commanders from the involved nations are tasked with planning these details.
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing that the ceasefire is only the beginning of a longer peace process. Resolving the Gaza situation alone does not address the underlying conflicts in the region. He called for collective international effort to ensure stability, humanitarian access, and eventual resolution of broader issues.