DOHA: The nearly two-month-old ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains incomplete and cannot move into its next phase unless Israeli forces fully withdraw from the Palestinian territory, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Saturday. Speaking at the Doha Forum, an annual high-level diplomatic gathering in Qatar’s capital, he emphasized that Gaza’s stability depends on the complete pullout of Israeli troops.
According to Sheikh Mohammed, the current moment is critical not only for the ceasefire but also for long-term regional peace. He stated that true stability in Gaza will only emerge once the Israeli military withdraws and essential governance structures are restored. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, played a key role in brokering the truce that came into effect on October 10, largely halting nearly two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Under the second phase of the agreement, which has not yet begun, Israel is required to retreat from its positions in the Gaza Strip. An interim authority would take charge of governance during this phase, while an international stabilisation force (ISF) would be deployed to oversee security and ensure that the fragile peace is maintained.
However, several Arab and Muslim countries have shown reluctance to join the proposed stabilisation force amid concerns they might end up in direct conflict with Palestinians. Addressing the forum, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that discussions are ongoing, but significant issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding the command structure and which nations will contribute troops. He stressed that the first priority of the stabilisation force should be preventing direct confrontation between Palestinians and Israelis, after which other matters can be addressed.
The peace plan, originally outlined by former US President Donald Trump, also calls for Hamas to disarm. Members who surrender their weapons would be permitted to leave Gaza, a proposal Hamas has consistently rejected.
Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged that Qatar, along with Turkiye, Egypt and the United States, is committed to pushing the process forward. He noted that the upcoming phase of the deal is only temporary and called for a broader, long-lasting solution that ensures justice and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.
On the sidelines of the forum, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met the Qatari prime minister to discuss the developments. Both officials reaffirmed the importance of implementing the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement, which was signed in October. Egypt has also announced its intention to train 5,000 police officers for Gaza and remains a potential contributor to the stabilisation force.
