Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, said that Israel’s relentless attack on Gaza is again breaking hopes for peace — hopes that had briefly arisen, especially after the latest release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander last week.
Addressing the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, he stated, “We believed that moment would lead to opening the door to put an end to this tragedy, but it provoked a new wave of fierce attacks instead.”
“This irresponsible, aggressive actions are ruining any chance for peace,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed also gave an account of the recent ceasefire talks conducted in Qatar, which, in his belief, has so far produced no tangible outcome.
“There is a basic gap between the two sides,” he stated. “One side wants a partial agreement that would ultimately lead to a final deal. The other side will only accept a one-time agreement — to close the war and free all the hostages.” He concluded, “We have not been able to bridge this basic divide.”