Qatar has stated that Israel has not responded to a recent Gaza ceasefire proposal, despite Hamas agreeing to the framework more than a week ago.
The proposal, put forward by mediators Egypt and Qatar, includes a cessation of Israeli army operations for 60 days, during which it would withdraw to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. Half of the remaining 50 captives would also be exchanged for Palestinian detainees within that timeframe.
Majed al-Ansari, Foreign Ministry spokesperson of Qatar, said, “We are in contact with all parties in pursuit of a ceasefire agreement, but there is no official Israeli response – neither acceptance, rejection, nor the presentation of an alternative proposal.”
Al-Ansari added that Qatar was “communicating with all parties in pursuit of a ceasefire agreement” and called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to accept the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal.
The statement comes as Israel continues its war on Gaza, which has now killed more than 62,000 Palestinians. Al-Ansari emphasized that Qatar does not take seriously the media statements in Israel and is awaiting an official response to the proposal.
“What Hamas agreed to is identical to what Israel had already agreed to. The ball is now in Israel’s court, and it seems Israel does not want to reach an agreement or even respond to the proposal,” he said.
Newsmen reported that the proposal has been on the table for more than 10 days, and neither of the mediators has yet heard back from Israel.
“The only response seen from Israel has been more deaths, more destruction, more plans to take over more territory in Gaza, but no real move towards trying to find a solution … and stopping the killing,” bin Javaid added. This proposal was “agreed upon by Israel and 98 percent of it has been agreed upon by Hamas,” bin Javaid said.
The lack of response from Israel has raised concerns about its commitment to reaching a ceasefire agreement. Qatar has pledged to continue its efforts to bring an end to Israel’s war on Gaza and urged the international community to pressure Israel into accepting the proposal.
“We do not take seriously the media statements in Israel and are awaiting an official response to the proposal,” al-Ansari said, emphasizing the need for a formal response from Israel.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians displaced and in need of humanitarian aid. The ceasefire proposal is seen as a crucial step towards ending the violence and finding a solution to the conflict.
However, without an official response from Israel, it remains unclear whether a ceasefire agreement can be reached.