Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said that the Qatari side received an Israeli proposal that reflects the principles of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as mentioned by US President Joe Biden, and conveyed to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
Al-Ansari confirmed – in a press conference today – that the proposal now includes positions of both sides closer than before, and that there are efforts to put the final touches to reach an agreement.
He added that communications did not stop with all parties concerned with the crisis in Gaza. But the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman also confirmed that it is waiting for a “clear position” from Israel regarding the truce proposal in Gaza that Biden announced last week.
He added, “We have read and watched the contradictory statements issued by Israeli ministers, which does not give us much confidence in the existence of a unified position in Israel regarding this current proposal on the table.”
As of Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not officially announced his approval of the offer, which the US President said was originally an “Israeli offer,” but Ministers of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to topple the government if an agreement was concluded in accordance with the terms announced by Biden.
The Qatari spokesman pointed out that Hamas also has not yet clarified its position.
Hamas said that it “will deal positively with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction, the return of the displaced, completing a serious prisoner exchange deal, and intensifying relief.”
On Friday evening, Biden announced the existence of a three-stage “Israeli proposal,” which includes a ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza. But there is a disagreement between the two allies, Washington and Tel Aviv, regarding the proposal.
