Qatar Urges Swift Move to ‘Stage Two’ of Gaza Peace Deal
Mediator calls for advancing negotiations beyond current ceasefire, addressing key sticking points like tunnel fighters and hostage remains.
Qatar, a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, has called for urgent progress to the second phase of the peace agreement, emphasizing that unresolved issues should not delay further negotiations.
Speaking on Tuesday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated, “We think that we should be pushing the parties to stage two very, very soon.” He highlighted ongoing complications, including the presence of Hamas fighters in tunnels beyond the agreed “Yellow Line” and periodic violent incidents.
Qatar, alongside the United States, Türkiye, and Egypt, helped broker the truce that took effect on October 10, largely halting two years of intense conflict. The first phase of the agreement involved the exchange of hostages and prisoners—most of whom have been released, though over 10,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli detention.
Two hostage bodies are still in Gaza, with Israel accusing Hamas of delaying their return. Hamas has cited the extensive destruction and rubble as slowing recovery efforts. Ansari acknowledged the logistical challenges but stressed that this should not hinder progress to the next phase.
Stage two of the deal, which received UN backing in November, envisions a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the establishment of an interim governing authority, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
Source: Al Jazeera
