Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken exchanged handshakes during a joint press conference in Doha on Thursday. AFP
The United States and Qatar have agreed to resume negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza, as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that mediators are exploring new avenues after months of unsuccessful attempts to finalize a US-led plan. With US elections just around the corner, Blinken embarked on his 11th trip to the region since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which recently resulted in the death of the militant group's leader, Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken announced that discussions would recommence 'in the coming days' to find solutions to end the year-long Gaza conflict and secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attack. 'We discussed options to capitalize on this moment and the next steps to advance the process,' Blinken stated following his meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. He emphasized the need for a plan that allows Israel to withdraw, prevents Hamas from regrouping, and enables the Palestinian people to rebuild their lives and futures.
'This is a moment to work towards ending this war, ensuring all hostages return home, and building a better future for the people of Gaza,' he added. Qatar's Prime Minister confirmed that Israeli and US delegations would convene in Doha to discuss the ceasefire, though Blinken refrained from providing further details on the talks.
President Joe Biden proposed a plan on May 31 to temporarily halt hostilities and secure the release of hostages still held by militants in Gaza. However, negotiations stalled, with a significant obstacle being Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining an Israeli troop presence along the Gaza-Egypt border. Blinken, during his third stop on a tour that included visits to Israel and Saudi Arabia, reiterated his view that Sinwar was the primary obstacle, and his death presents an opportunity for progress.
Sheikh Mohammed noted that there is currently 'no clarity on the way forward' from Hamas but that Qatari mediators have 're-engaged' with the group since Sinwar's death. 'There has been engagement with representatives from the political office in Doha. We have held meetings with them in the past few days,' he said, adding that Egypt continues discussions with Hamas. US officials previously described Sinwar as inflexible in ceasefire negotiations, which also aimed to secure the release of hostages from Gaza, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Critics argue that the issue extends beyond Hamas to include the Biden administration's inability to secure Israel's support, despite the continuous flow of billions of dollars in US weapons to Israel. Hamas has yet to appoint a successor to Sinwar. Two Hamas sources informed AFP this week that the group is leaning towards establishing a Doha-based leadership committee rather than selecting an individual leader.
Blinken stated that the United States is prepared to explore 'new frameworks' for Gaza. 'We're examining different options, but as the prime minister mentioned, we haven't yet determined if Hamas is ready to engage,' Blinken said. 'The next step is bringing the negotiators together... we'll gain more insight in the coming days.' Blinken is also seeking clarity on a plan for Gaza's reconstruction and post-war governance, viewing it as a crucial element in efforts to end the war. He announced an additional $135 million in aid to the Palestinians, bringing the total since the war's onset to approximately $1.2 billion.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
