DOHA: Qatar’s chief negotiator has criticised the glacial pace of ceasefire talks in Gaza, warning lives are at risk as fighting continues.
“This is an urgent matter,” said Mohammed Al-Khulaifi. “We’re definitely frustrated by the slowness… there are lives at stake.”
The January-brokered truce by Qatar, Egypt, and the US collapsed in March after Israel resumed strikes on Gaza.
Hamas rejected Israel’s latest 45-day ceasefire proposal, which called for the release of 10 hostages.
Al-Khulaifi defended Qatar’s role, dismissing Israeli accusations—including allegations of financing Hamas and influencing Israeli politics—as a “smear campaign.”
He also pushed back on Israeli PM Netanyahu’s claim that Qatar promotes “anti-Americanism” on US campuses.
Beyond Gaza, Al-Khulaifi said Qatar had mediated de-escalation efforts between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Talks helped secure an M23 withdrawal from the mining hub of Walikale. The Qatari minister also confirmed plans to discuss Syria sanctions and public sector salary reform with US officials in Washington. – AFP
