Tribune News Network
Doha
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has said that the State of Qatar has succeeded in mediating the release of more than 130 prisoners from the Gaza Strip over the past year and a half.
The Qatari-Egyptian-American mediation efforts succeeded in reaching a truce at the beginning of this year, and that efforts are now under way to complete the next phase of the truce, he added.
In an interview with the Washington Post, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said prisoners are exposed to the same dangers as other civilians in Gaza.
He also noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic.“The humanitarian situation in Gaza has become catastrophic. Humanitarian aid has not entered Gaza for more than five weeks now. There is a famine,” he added.
“We have been speaking with the Israelis and also with the US in order to find an opening where we can get the humanitarian aid in. Nothing can enter there now,” he said.
The PM affirmed that the release of Israeli-American prisoner Edan Alexander was the result of intensive efforts to reach a ceasefire, expressing hope that the two parties would be brought together at the negotiating table for serious negotiations to end the war and allow vital aid into Gaza.
The PM stressed that the most important question now is how to stop the war on Gaza and prevent it from escalating into a permanent conflict, even if this requires the formation of a new Palestinian government in Gaza. He affirmed that Doha supports the formation of a technocratic government in the Strip.
Regarding the issues to be discussed with the US President during his visit to Qatar, the PM said, “We want to discuss the partnership between the United States and Qatar, which includes several areas, most notably security and defense. The region is currently witnessing many developments, most notably the negotiations with Iran.”
The PM added that Doha encourages the Iranians to reach an agreement as soon as possible, stressing that Qatar advises both Iran and the United States on the necessity of reaching an agreement.
He also stressed the need to reach an understanding between the US and the new Syrian government regarding the lifting of sanctions, as they significantly hinder their movements, despite the positive messages they are sending.
