Synopsis
On January 19, Qatari PM Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with Palestinian factions to discuss the Gaza ceasefire, focusing on key aspects such as prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid. The meeting reflects Qatar's commitment to supporting Gaza's people and advancing the long-awaited peace process.Key Takeaways
- Qatar's role in mediating Gaza ceasefire discussions.
- Importance of humanitarian aid and the return of displaced persons.
- Prisoner exchange agreements as part of the ceasefire terms.
- Ongoing commitment to Palestinian rights and statehood.
- Recent developments in the regional conflict dynamics.
Doha, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Prime Minister of Qatar and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, held a meeting on Sunday with a delegation from Palestinian factions to evaluate the latest progress concerning the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
As reported by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the talks centered around the advancements and critical aspects of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including matters such as the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the facilitation of humanitarian aid, and the return of displaced individuals to their original locations, according to Xinhua news agency.
During the meeting, Al Thani stressed the significance of ensuring the complete execution of the agreement to foster sustainable peace and stability in the area.
He also reiterated Qatar's unwavering support for the people of Gaza by continuing the airlift of humanitarian supplies as stipulated in the agreement.
Additionally, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Qatar's firm stance on the justice of the Palestinian cause, the legitimate rights of the Palestinian populace, and the aspiration for their independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Simultaneously, a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday, marking the beginning of six weeks of tranquility and raising hopes for an end to 15 months of Israeli assaults on Gaza that have ravaged the enclave and for the release of numerous hostages held there.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the ceasefire by nearly three hours after Hamas failed to meet an 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) deadline for submitting the names of the first three hostages to be released later. Hamas attributed the delay to technical issues but subsequently provided the list, as reported by Xinhua.
At 11:15 a.m. local time (0915 GMT), the Israeli military instructed its units in Gaza to halt fire, signifying the commencement of the truce facilitated after nearly a year of mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
An Israeli official confirmed the hostages' names: Emily Damari, 28, a British-Israeli; Doron Steinbrecher, 30, a veterinary nurse; and Romi Gonen, 23, who was abducted from the Nova music festival.
They will be handed over to the Red Cross and then taken to a military facility near the Gaza border before being transported to Sheba Medical Center outside Tel Aviv, where they will be reunited with their families. The hospital has prepared isolated areas for them to begin their recovery privately.
In return, Israel is anticipated to release approximately 90 Palestinian detainees from the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem on the same day, mainly consisting of women and minors.
Israeli tanks and warplanes continued to bombard Gaza right up to the ceasefire moment. The Israeli military contended that its strikes targeted militants, while Gaza's health authorities reported at least 14 fatalities and 25 injuries during the last day of conflict. Dark clouds of smoke ascended over northern Gaza as airstrikes persisted.
Reports from Gaza showed Palestinians freely walking in the streets for the first time since a previous truce fell apart in late 2023, waving flags and celebrating. Aid trucks were observed entering the enclave, delivering much-needed flour and other essential goods to the populace.
In northern Gaza's Jabalia and Rafah, displaced residents returned to find scenes of extensive destruction, with demolished buildings and infrastructure reduced to debris. Most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have faced multiple displacements throughout the conflict.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza indicated a death toll of 46,913, with 110,750 injuries recorded from the Israeli strikes since October 2023.
In Tel Aviv, crowds congregated in Hostage Square to express solidarity with the families of those still held in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to uphold the ceasefire agreement. A large digital clock displayed the duration of the hostages' captivity since their abduction during Hamas' cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. Currently, nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel estimating that half are still alive.
