Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari yesterday indicated that negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to begin soon.
Addressing a MOFA weekly briefing, Al Ansari reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to advancing negotiations on the next phase of the ceasefire and said that there is a “Positive atmosphere” regarding second phase of the cease-fire agreement
“We are working towards implementing the agreement as it was signed, which means that by the 42nd day we hope that we can move to the second phase,” he said.
“…We are pushing with our partners at the mediation to make sure that they start as soon as possible in order for us to have enough time to discuss and perform the proposed end of phase one. Obviously we are in agreement that, through the agreement itself, that until we reach an agreement for phase two, the parameters for phase one would apply. But obviously we are hoping to accomplish the agreement as it was signed, meaning 42 days for phase one, which hopefully will be less immediacy for phase two,” said Al Ansari.
“There is a positive atmosphere regarding the second phase of the agreement,” he said.
Al Ansari said that a positive shift in progress regarding negotiations, with the statements from US administration including US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
“We have had quite positive momentum yesterday(Monday) with the statements coming in from the Trump administration and especially from Ambassador Witkoff over pressuring both sides to engage positively in the negotiations,” he said.
In reply to a question he reiterated Qatar’s opposition to any measures that would undermine the rights of the Palestinian people, including their displacement.
Al Ansari said, “From our perspective, what happens in the sector post this conflict, it is a Palestinian question on how, who represents the Palestinians and who represents them in official and administrative capacity.”
Referring to aid Qatari humanitarian aid, Al Ansari said a mechanism has been established to receive complaints regarding the entry of aid into Gaza.
He said that “the aid enters the Gaza Strip today is insufficient,” and empahsised that Qatar will continue sending aid.
With regard to the announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of hosting talks in Riyadh between the Russia and US, Al Ansari welcomed the efforts.
“We welcome the efforts of our brothers in Saudi Arabia in leading US – Russia Talks initiative that will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has went on for a very long time. We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical, economic impact globally,” he said.
