Tribune News Network
Davos
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has said that the ceasefire agreement will be the first step towards achieving stability in Gaza.
“The past 15 months of negotiations have proven that dialogue and engagement can resolve even the most difficult conflicts. With the ceasefire in place, humanitarian aid flowing, and hostages returning, we see this as a first step toward stability in Gaza,” the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday.
He added, “The responsibility now lies with the parties to honour their commitments. As mediators, we will ensure every step is implemented, hoping this leads to a permanent ceasefire and a lasting resolution.”
The PM said Qatar hopes to the see the Palestinian Authority (PA) return to the Gaza Strip.
The PM cautioned that Palestinians in Gaza – and not any other country – should dictate the way the enclave will be governed. “We hope to see the PA back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that will really address the issues of the people over there, and there is a long way to go with Gaza and the destruction,” Sheikh Mohammed added.
The PM praised US President Donald Trump’s administration for its role in achieving the ceasefire deal, including Steve Witkoff, the presidential envoy to the Middle East.
“He made a big difference. I’ve seen a real partner in him that we got it together to the finish line,” he added.
Sheikh Mohammed said that Qatar was sorry for the time wasted in the talks between Israel and Hamas.
“When we look at and reflect on what we have achieved in the last few days, we felt really sorry for all the time … wasted in these negotiations,” he said.
“We have seen that the framework that we have agreed on in December is the one that’s been realised a couple of days ago, and … I’m talking about December ’23, this means just a year of negotiating details,” the PM said, adding that this included “some meaningless things compared to the lives of the people that have been lost”.
Sheikh Mohammed also spoke about the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad last December.
“We have seen the collapse of a brutal regime that killed and displaced its own people,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Despite the challenges of the past year, we have seen positive developments — Lebanon has a president, Syria is witnessing change, and we now have a ceasefire in Gaza that we hope will become permanent. With a new US administration, there are opportunities for deeper collaboration to ensure a stable Middle East. We must build on this momentum and work towards lasting solutions for regional peace,” the PM noted.
In a social media post on X platform, the Prime Minister said, “In a world facing major challenges, I affirmed at the WEF25 that Qatar will continue its pivotal role in promoting international peace and security. Our participation embodies our belief in the importance of dialogue and cooperation to achieve sustainable development and promote world peace.”
