The future of Gaza and its people "must remain in the hands of the Palestinians" who should have the freedom and right to determine their own future, said Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari, at a regular press briefing in Doha on Tuesday.
The spokesman made the remarks while updating the progress of the ongoing indirect ceasefire talks between Israeli and Hamas delegations in Egypt, noting it is too early to discuss the results.
The negotiations, taking place in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, began on Monday. This comes as the conflict in Gaza has persisted for two years, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, have intensified efforts to broker a deal to end hostilities and pave the way for reconstruction.
Al-Ansari noted that while Qatar is engaged in mediation efforts, it understands that not any proposal can be possibly applicable to all parties. Qatar, along with other mediators, will continue to work towards ending the war.
He also pointed out that, according to the 20-point proposal unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aims to end the war in Gaza, Israel is supposed to immediately cease its bombing and military actions in the Gaza Strip, but this has not occurred.
The plan outlines a phased ceasefire-for-hostages deal, an Israeli withdrawal, a demilitarized Gaza, and international oversight for the territory's post-conflict reconstruction and governance, which explicitly excludes Hamas.
Ansari emphasized that rebuilding the Gaza Strip requires support from the international community, but the Palestinian issue should be led by the Palestinian people. The only way to resolve the Palestinian question is to implement a two-state solution, which involves the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.
"A major obstacle in the current negotiations is the implementation of the agreements. We must find practical solutions to ensure the swift execution of these agreements, allowing the international community to enter the Gaza Strip seamlessly while activating monitoring mechanisms immediately to prevent further deterioration of the situation," he said.
"In the next phase of Gaza's reconstruction, we need support from the international community in areas such as security, economic, infrastructure, and even governance. However, the Palestinian question is primarily the affairs of the Palestinian people and their future must be held in their own hands," the spokesman said.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry also announced on the day, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will travel to Egypt to join the talks. Al-Ansari said on social media that the prime minister's participation comes at a "critical stage of the talks", reaffirming the mediators' determination to reach an agreement.
Simultaneously, Turkish National Intelligence Organization Director Ibrahim Kalin is also scheduled to take part in the negotiations on Wednesday.
Gaza's future "must remain in hands of Palestinians: Qatar's FM spokesman
