Qatar accuses Israel of tactical manoeuvres to stall Gaza ceasefire

Israeli authorities have yet to officially respond to a ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip and are reportedly taking tactical measures to delay the deal, according to Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, advisor to the Qatari prime minister and spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry.

“The proposal has been presented and addresses 98% of the demands Israel put forward several weeks ago. It is the Israeli side that is now not responding. Therefore, all responsibility lies with them for failing to reply to the official proposal submitted by the mediators and approved by Hamas,” al-Ansari told reporters.

When asked about Israel potentially changing the venue for negotiations, al-Ansari characterised such moves as “tactical manoeuvring, attempts to delay the conclusion of an agreement.” He added, “I don't think the international community is naive. We understand what these manoeuvres mean.”

Al-Ansari emphasised that until an official response is received clarifying why Israel does not intend to accept the proposed agreement, “everything else is a private matter.” He further noted that Qatar has observed no positive developments on the ground in Gaza, citing ongoing threats to Gaza City, attacks on civilians awaiting aid, and risks to journalists.

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip resumed in March after the Israeli army broke the ceasefire that had been established in January. Despite several rounds of mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the parties have been unable to agree on new terms.

On August 8, Israel’s military-political cabinet approved a plan to take control of the entire Gaza Strip and expand operations within the enclave.

On August 18, Hamas responded positively to the mediators’ ceasefire proposal, which was subsequently forwarded to Israel. Two days later, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz approved a plan to capture Gaza City. According to Israeli state television and radio, Israeli army units have already initiated combat operations in Gaza’s suburbs as part of preparations to expand their manoeuvres.

By Tamilla Hasanova