Qatari Prime Minister Warns Israeli Ceasefire Breaches Risk Derailing Gaza Peace Efforts

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, issued a stark warning on Thursday that repeated violations of the Gaza ceasefire by Israeli forces are jeopardising the entire peace process and threatening the fragile truce that has largely held since mid‑October. The comments came after high‑level talks in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where concerns over the future of the agreement and the humanitarian situation in Gaza were front and centre.

Sheikh Mohammed, whose country has played a central role in mediating between Israel and Palestinian factions, said that ongoing breaches and delays in advancing the ceasefire deal are placing mediators in a difficult position and increasing strain on diplomatic efforts. He stressed that the next phase of the agreement, which includes expanding humanitarian aid and consolidating a lasting cessation of hostilities, must begin without delay to prevent the current truce from collapsing.

Since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, monitoring by independent observers suggests that there have been hundreds of alleged violations, many attributed to Israeli operations, which have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and injuries. These incidents, according to Qatar and other critics, undermine confidence in the truce and strain the willingness of mediators to push forward with broader implementation of the peace framework.

In his remarks, the Qatari premier also underscored the need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza “unconditionally,” as large parts of the territory continue to suffer from severe shortages of essential supplies, worsening winter conditions, and disruptions caused by the conflict. The worsening humanitarian crisis is seen by Doha as deeply intertwined with the sustainability of the ceasefire.

The discussions also touched on proposals for an international stabilisation force, intended to help maintain security and support reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Qatar has emphasised that such a force should not be seen as favouring any party over another, reflecting concerns that a biased deployment could fuel further tensions.

Sheikh Mohammed’s warning reflects a broader anxiety among international mediators that without firm adherence to the terms of the ceasefire and rapid progress toward the agreement’s next stage, the already fragile peace effort could falter. With the humanitarian situation deteriorating and political pressures mounting on all sides, Qatar’s appeal highlights the complexities involved in translating a temporary truce into a durable cessation of hostilities.