Momentum returning to Gaza negotiations, says Prime Minister

Doha: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that momentum has returned to negoti...

Doha: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that momentum has returned to negotiations aimed at reaching a truce and exchanging hostages in the Gaza Strip after the US elections.

At a dialogue session titled ‘Conflict Resolution in a New Era’ within the activities of the 22nd Doha Forum on Saturday, he said that they felt after the US elections that momentum was returning to the path of negotiations and there is much encouragement from the next US administration to reach an agreement, even before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

He said that there will be some differences in the approach of the administration of President Joe Biden and that of President Trump to certain issues and matters. “This approach affects the decisions taken and what happens on the ground. However, we have not noticed any differences or rejection by the new administration regarding the main goal, which is to end the war in Gaza,” he added.

H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani pointed out that the momentum of the negotiations had slackened significantly in the last days before the US elections in particular, and they did not feel a real will or readiness to reach a conclusion to the events that were sweeping the Strip.

H E the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the gaps and points of difference between Hamas and Israel are not big and are not of a magnitude that would affect the negotiations. He added: “The question is simple: Is there a will to end the war yes or no and is there a will to reach an exchange deal yes or no.”