Gaza peace deal possible before Trump inauguration, Qatar’s PM says

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says there is work being done ‘to get things back on track’.

Updated: December 7, 2024 11:01 PM IST

2 min read

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani speaks during a news conference. (Reuters)

The Prime Minister of Qatar has said he has observed new momentum in efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza since the US presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration aiming to bring an end to the conflict before taking office.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire discussions, chose not to provide specifics about the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the two sides are not significant.

Qatar, which has played a central role as a mediator throughout the 14-month conflict, paused its efforts last month due to frustration over the lack of progress. However, Sheikh Mohammed indicated that his government has recently re-engaged in the process after recognising a renewed willingness from both parties to reach an agreement.

“We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday.

He noted that he has been in contact with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that, despite some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war.

“We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

While declining to discuss details—saying he wanted to “protect the process”—he expressed hope for a resolution “as soon as possible.”

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“If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he added.

(With Inputs from Associated Press)

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