Gaza Strip talks at a critical moment, Qatari PM says
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said negotiations to consolidate the US-backed ceasefire in the war in the Gaza Strip were at a “critical” moment.
In a panel discussion at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar, Al-Thani, whose country is a key mediator in the war, said mediators were trying to advance the next phase of the ceasefire.
Violence has decreased but not stopped since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect on October 10, and at least seven people were reported killed on Saturday.
“We are at a critical moment. It’s not there yet. So what we just did is a pause,” Al Thani said.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 23rd Doha Forum, stated: Qatar believes that justice is not just a political goal but the fundamental basis of maintaining international peace. pic.twitter.com/3gJSYr399s? Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) December 6, 2025
“We cannot consider this as a ceasefire yet. The ceasefire cannot be completed until Israeli forces are completely withdrawn, there is stability in Gaza and people are moving in and out. This is not the case today.”
Negotiations are continuing on the next stages of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the two-year war in the Palestinian region.
The plan calls for the establishment of an interim technocratic Palestinian government in the Gaza Strip, overseen by an international “peace board” and supported by an international security force.
Agreeing on the structure and jurisdiction of this force was particularly challenging.
An Israeli delegation on Thursday held talks with mediators in Cairo over the return of the last hostage held in the strip, which would complete the first part of Trump’s plan.
Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and 27 bodies in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners.
Israel said this week that it would soon open the Rafah Gate to exit via Egypt and allow entry into the Gaza Strip via Rafah after the last remaining hostage is returned.
Despite the easing of fighting, Israel continued to attack the area and destroy what it claimed was Hamas’ infrastructure.
Hamas and Israel share responsibility for the violations.
Israeli fire on Saturday killed seven people in Beit Lahiya, Jabalia and Zeitoun in the northern Gaza Strip, including a 70-year-old woman who died in a drone strike, Palestinian local health officials said.
The Israeli army said that in two separate incidents on Saturday, forces stationed north of the strip (behind the so-called yellow withdrawal line agreed upon in the ceasefire) opened fire on Palestinian militants crossing the border, killing three people.
A spokesman said the military was unaware of any drone strikes.
