Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s mediation efforts for de-escalation in the Gaza Strip have entered the final stage, an official has said.
“We are now at the closest point we ever had been in reaching an agreement ... We are very optimistic, very hopeful but we are also very keen for this mediation to succeed in reaching a humanitarian truce,” said official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari in a media briefing yesterday.
“We will keep our statement (reserved) until final decision and announcement of the agreement,” he said, adding that he could not share the details of the agreement being negotiated. He said only limited matters were pending in negotiations for a truce. Dr. Al Ansari stressed the importance of not announcing any details about the course of this mediation until it is completed, saying a statement will be issued if an agreement is reached in its final form.
“Qatar has been working for some time to reach an agreement that would put an end to the suffering of the Palestinians,” he added.
He noted that since the scale of the tragedy in Gaza is terrible, therefore any agreement or truce is an opportunity that is needed in light of the crisis which is increasing in magnitude and tragedy.
Dr. Al Ansari also expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached in the near future, especially since efforts are continuing, and that Qatar had previously mediated and succeeded in reaching an agreement for the evacuation of a large group of foreigners from the Gaza Strip.
He said the priority is to stop the war and bring in humanitarian aid. “Hundreds die every day as a result of the brutal aggression against Gaza.”
Regarding Qatar's aid to Gaza, the MoFA spokesman said an air bridge to support the Palestinians is continuing to the city of Al Arish in Egypt.
He said the number of planes carrying relief and humanitarian materials has reached 13 planes, carrying more than 492 tonnes of aid, in preparation for transporting it to Gaza.
He said the aid comes within the framework of Qatar’s support for the brotherly Palestinian people, and its full support for them during the difficult humanitarian conditions they are going through as a result of the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.
He said Qatar is working to push the international community to stop this aggression and bloodshed, and to bring in aid through consultations and communications it conducts with various international officials and regional and international organisations.
Regarding the Gulf summit that Doha will host next month, Dr. Al Ansari said it comes in the context of the complementary message of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and their role in the region, noting that the situation in Gaza will be at the forefront of discussions in any regional meetings, and that this summit will be presented to the various committees with their agendas to take decisions that enhance Gulf integration in all fields.
Regarding the resumption of work on building a bridge linking Qatar and Bahrain, he said relevant authorities in the two countries will complete the plans and start implementation of the project. “This project is old and work on it began and then stopped, but the technical committees will meet to determine the requirements and time frame for implementation, and other technical matters that will be announced successively.”
