Qatar PM heads to Egypt to join Gaza peace talks
In a sign the talks have progressed significantly, US special envoy Steve Witkoff is also travelling to Egypt as hopes grow the first phase of Donald Trump’s peace plan could be finalised in days.
Qatar’s Prime Minister is on his way to Egypt to join negotiations over Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan as hopes grow the first phase of the plan could be finalised by the end of the week.
In a sign the talks were gaining momentum, Qatar said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani would travel to Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday (local time) to join the negotiations as a foreign ministry spokesman said an outcome was expected “in the coming days.”
Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on X the prime minister’s arrival in the Red Sea resort “comes at a critical stage of the consultations, confirming the mediators’ determination to reach an agreement that will end the disastrous war in the Gaza Strip.”
Significantly, Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as well as top Netanyahu adviser Ron Dermer, are also expected to join the talks then. Earlier this week the Axios news site reported that Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner would join the talks only when an agreement was being finalised, with Mr Witkoff saying they wouldn’t leave Cairo without a deal.
Ahead of a third day of negotiations which a Turkish delegation will also join, a well-placed Egyptian official told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat the US President might be able to announce a preliminary agreement by the weekend.
He warned the talks could stretch for several more days if “obstacles persist”, but suggested the deal over the release of the 48 hostages could be agreed at the latest by Sunday, local time. It is believed 20 of the hostages are alive.
“Hamas is discussing the logistical requirements needed to hand over hostages and is pushing for time and guarantees, such as the removal of barriers, troop withdrawals, flight suspensions, or the release of prisoners held by other factions,” the official said.
Mr Trump offered assurances that Washington would “do everything possible” to ensure both sides adhere to the peace plan if it goes ahead, saying the US had “a lot of leverage” in the negotiations.
Earlier, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Jerusalem was “cautiously optimistic” about success in the talks as the Israeli Prime Minister vowed to secure the return all the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu’s office said there had been progress in the talks, but Jerusalem remained “very cautious”, warning: “Hamas can add obstacles at any moment and leave.”
On the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, massacre, Mr Netanyahu said in a statement: “We are in fateful, decisive days. We will continue to act to achieve all the war’s objectives: the return of all abductees, the elimination of Hamas’s rule, and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel.”
Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, told Egyptian media in a rare interview that he had joined the negotiations to bring about an end to the war, secure an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and secure a “prisoner exchange – the release of all Israeli hostages, both living and dead, and the Palestinian prisoners that were discussed, according to the Trump plan”.
A Hamas official told Al Jazeera the militants were demanding the Israeli Defence Forces withdraw fully from Gaza as the last hostage was released, while a senior Egyptian official involved in the talks told Arab media Hamas had demanded guarantees Israel would not return to war after the release of the remaining hostages.
The second day of negotiations focused on IDF withdrawal lines and scheduling the release of Palestinian prisoners, the official said.
Mr Netanyahu has said the war will end only when all the hostages are returned and Hamas has been disarmed. He has accepted Mr Trump's 20-point plan, which calls for Gaza to be placed under international governance and for Hamas to be disarmed – elements the militants have yet to accept.
The plan has received widespread international backing, and Mr Trump said on Monday that he thought there was a “really good chance” of a lasting deal.
The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops from Gaza after Hamas disarms, and an international security force being put in place. The territory would be placed under international governance, with Mr Trump and former British prime minister Tony Blair overseeing it.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Hamas reiterated its longstanding demands for a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal, but said nothing about disarmament.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel and killed about 1200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. Most have since been released in ceasefires or other deals.
On Tuesday, thousands of Israelis gathered at an area attacked by Hamas two years ago to pay tribute to loved ones who were killed or kidnapped. An explosion echoed across the fields following the launch of a rocket in northern Gaza. No damage or injuries were reported.
In Gaza City, residents said Israeli attacks continued until early Tuesday. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
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