Qatari Prime Minister Urges Momentum to End Gaza War as Hamas Reviews Ceasefire Plan

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump, addresses the most urgent humanitarian concerns — halting the killing of civilians and stopping the forced displacement of Palestinians. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the international community should take advantage of the current “momentum” to end Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. --- Details of the Ceasefire Proposal The plan, already accepted in principle by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been forwarded by Qatar to Hamas’s leadership for review. It lays out a 20-point framework, including an immediate halt to Israeli attacks, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and unrestricted humanitarian aid into the enclave. Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged the agreement faces “practical and implementation challenges”, but said it represents a crucial step toward stopping the bloodshed while also opening the door to long-term opportunities. > “Everyone agreed on stopping the war, preventing displacement, and ensuring the full withdrawal of the Israeli army. The people of Gaza should be the ones to govern themselves,” he stressed. Regional and Global Reactions The proposal has gained backing from major Arab and Muslim nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye, and Indonesia. Leaders have expressed cautious optimism that the plan could pave the way toward peace if both Israel and Hamas commit to its terms. On Monday, Netanyahu issued a formal apology to Qatar for the killing of a Qatari citizen during an Israeli strike targeting Hamas officials in Doha last month. The apology came during a joint call with Trump and Netanyahu to Sheikh Mohammed, following widespread global condemnation of the attack. --- Challenges Ahead While the ceasefire blueprint has been welcomed as a breakthrough, Sheikh Mohammed noted that several points still require clarification and negotiation. He underscored that the protection of civilians in Gaza remains the top priority for Qatar and mediators involved in the talks. --- The Bigger Picture The conflict in Gaza has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced countless families. The international community sees this ceasefire proposal as one of the strongest chances yet to end the war. But whether Hamas will fully endorse the plan remains uncertain, leaving the future of the region hanging in the balance.

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