In a compelling address at the Munich Security Conference, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani emphasized the urgent need to halt the escalating conflict in Gaza without preconditions, citing the dire humanitarian situation, particularly in the threatened city of Rafah.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani outlined the recent progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas over the past three weeks but expressed concerns about the lack of advancement in the last few days. Despite previous agreements, obstacles remain, particularly concerning humanitarian conditions and the release of hostages.
“I think the time is not in our favor. We made some good progress in the past three weeks in the negotiations and we have been traying to reach an agreement between the two parties, yet the last few days has not been progressing as expected. I believe there are still differences in place between the two parties. We had an agreement in November, when we managed to get 109 hostages out and we had a humanitarian pause for a week,” the Qatari leader said.
Further, highlighting the critical importance of addressing humanitarian concerns, Sheikh Mohammed underscored the potential for a swift resolution if significant progress is made in this regard. However, he lamented the sluggish pace of negotiations in recent days, urging continued optimism and perseverance in achieving a ceasefire to avert further casualties and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, especially in Rafah.
Responding to questions about Qatar’s long-term vision for the Palestinian Authority (PA), Sheikh Mohammed reiterated the immediate focus on ending the ongoing conflict and avoiding further escalation. While expressing support for a unified Palestinian government representing all Palestinians, he emphasized the imperative of halting the current hostilities to facilitate the safe return of hostages and pave the way for lasting peace.
Moreover, regarding China’s stance on the Gaza conflict, Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged China’s supportive position aligned with Arab states’ views. However, he refrained from commenting on China’s internal affairs, emphasizing the pressing need to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
“China’s position on the conflict in Gaza right now or even on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a position that we respect and we have seen it very supportive and aligned with the position of the Arab states but your question on internal matters relate to China that is something that I am not in a position to comment on. What we are judging now is the current conflict,” he added.
