Doha / New York: Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has blamed a Palestinian group for violating the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Sheikh Mohammed stated that the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah, southern Gaza, constituted a breach of the truce by a Palestinian faction.
He added that while Hamas has denied involvement in the incident, the claim has not yet been verified.
“Qatar remains in communication with both sides to ensure the ceasefire holds,” he said, emphasizing that the United States is playing an important mediating role in maintaining stability.
“What happened on Tuesday was undoubtedly a violation,” he noted, adding that Qatar is working to bring the situation under control.
The Qatari premier also revealed that during the negotiations, the delay by Hamas in transferring the bodies of martyrs was discussed, and Qatar made it clear that this process was part of the agreement and must be fully implemented.
Acknowledging the challenges since October 2023, Sheikh Mohammed admitted that peace efforts have faced numerous obstacles, but affirmed that Qatar remains committed to preserving the latest ceasefire deal.
He described the Rafah incident as “disappointing and unfortunate,” reaffirming that Qatar, in coordination with the U.S., is striving to de-escalate the situation.
