H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani expressed his optimism about the possibility of extending the humanitarian pause agreement in the Gaza Strip, brokered by the State of Qatar with the support of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States.
In an interview with the Face the Nation Program on the American channel CBS on 26 November 2023, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that Qatar is hopeful about extending the pause in the Gaza Strip, adding that Qatar is working closely with the United States of America to ensure that the current deal is happening, pointing out in that regard that the President of the United States Joe Biden is in constant contact with H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
"The agreement has a provision that if Hamas will be able to prove, to locate, and secure some of the hostages that are within the criteria of the first group, which is women and children, then it will be extended depending on the number that they will have. This is something we cannot confirm yet until we get to the fourth day, then Hamas should present the list if they are available with them," His Excellency added.
His Excellency pointed out the list of hostages to be released on 26 November 2023, includes the four-year-old Abigail, hoping to see more Americans released, indicating that some names are supposed to be included in the first group, but Qatar did not have confirmation yet.
H.E. the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that Qatar's focus right now is how to end this war and ensure that it is not repeated. His Excellency stressed that the only way to ensure that this war is not repeated is to reach a political solution and provide the Palestinian people with a political horizon for establishing a Palestinian state.
His Excellency pointed out that the decision of who rules the Palestinians should be decided by the Palestinians themselves and that Gaza and the West Bank should be unified under one leadership. His Excellency hoped that the humanitarian pause would be extended in case Hamas managed to release more hostages.
Regarding the two Qatari delegations to Israel and Gaza, His Excellency indicated they are totally separate delegations, where the Gaza delegation is focused on ensuring that humanitarian aid is sufficient, and the delegation in Israel mirrors the operations room in Doha that monitors the operation of the releases and ensures that everything and any concern is addressed as early as possible.
Regarding the future of the Hamas political bureau and the movement's leaders in Doha, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said: "There is a relation that's based on trust, based on mutual interest of both countries. This office, when it was established, it was established in coordination with the US to establish the communication with Hamas. It has always been useful, not only for the US, but for the US, Israel, and for the stability of the region. We did that previously with Taliban, some of the politicians in the US didn't like it, But we have been dealing with this matter very professionally and trying to get the benefit of this communication. Qatar represents the perfect friend of the United States to speak to those adversaries and multiple parties."
Regarding the role of the State of Qatar in helping bring Ukrainian children back to their families in Ukraine and its mediation to achieve a breakthrough in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, His Excellency said that Qatar carried out this role based on a Ukrainian request and using its relationship with Russia to secure the return of those four kids, adding that efforts are continuing and that Qatar hopes that another group will return to their families soon.
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Source and cover image credit: QNA
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