DOHA, On Friday, Qatar's mediator briefed Steve Witkoff, US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, about the ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations, which have been facilitated in collaboration with Egypt and the United States.
The meeting, held in Doha, saw Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani discuss with Witkoff "the latest developments in the region, particularly the initiatives aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," according to a statement from the Qatari foreign ministry.
Earlier in the month, mediators had embarked on a renewed effort to halt the Gaza conflict and secure the release of numerous Israeli hostages still held in the Palestinian territory. These renewed talks came amid escalating international pressure on both Hamas and Israel to arrive at a resolution through indirect negotiations.
Adding to the diplomatic momentum, US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that there had been "real progress" in the negotiations.
In contrast, President-elect Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas, stating that there would be "hell to pay" if the remaining captives were not released before his inauguration on January 20.
However, there is a prevailing belief among several analysts that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is more inclined to finalize a ceasefire agreement under Trump’s upcoming administration rather than during the concluding days of Joe Biden's tenure.
Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy in Israel, remarked earlier in the week, "I cannot foresee significant progress until President Trump assumes office."
This detailed account underscores the intricate and multi-layered nature of the ongoing efforts to secure peace in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the involvement of key international figures and the geopolitical dynamics at play.
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