Qatar's foreign ministry stated on Tuesday that efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza are "ongoing," following multiple rounds of discussions aimed at ending the 11-month conflict without success. "The efforts continue and communication channels remain open... the objectives, visits, and meetings are ongoing," said ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari in a press briefing. Months of secret negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have failed to stop the hostilities between Hamas and Israel, except for a one-week truce in late November. Recent mediation efforts in Doha and Cairo are based on a framework proposed by US President Joe Biden in May and a "bridging proposal" presented to the warring parties in August.
The US State Department announced on Monday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Egypt this week to "discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire," marking his tenth trip to the region since the Gaza Strip conflict began on October 7. After face-to-face talks in Egypt and Qatar last month ended without a final agreement, Washington indicated that mediators were preparing to present another revised framework for a ceasefire. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated on Monday that Washington is working "expeditiously" on a new proposal. Al Ansari declined to comment on whether any further proposal had been communicated to Israel or Hamas.
"Regarding the possibility of a deal happening soon, we remain hopeful at every stage," he said. "I cannot comment on the current prospects of a deal, but I can assure you that we remain hopeful and continue our efforts." Hamas reported that its delegation met with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha last week to discuss a truce and potential hostage and prisoner exchanges, without indicating any breakthrough. Pressure for a deal has increased within Israel following the announcement of the deaths of six hostages in early September after their bodies were found in a Gaza tunnel.
However, in response to external calls for an agreement, both Israel and Hamas have publicly indicated a deeper commitment to their negotiating positions. On Tuesday, Israel announced an expansion of its war objectives, broadening its fight against Hamas in Gaza to include Hezbollah along its northern border with Lebanon. The October 7 attack by Palestinian militants on southern Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also captured 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 33 whom the Israeli military claims are dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 41,252 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which does not provide a breakdown of civilian and militant deaths.
