Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has said that Israel should have already ceased its military operations in Gaza in accordance with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which outlines a roadmap for ending the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to reporters in Doha on Tuesday, ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the responsibility for halting hostilities rests with Israel, which has publicly claimed to be adhering to the U.S.-backed proposal.
“Regarding the ceasefire, this question should be directed first to the Israeli occupation government. It was supposed to actually cease fire if the statements made by the prime minister there regarding adherence to the Trump plan were true,” Ansari said.
His remarks come as Hamas and Israel engage in indirect negotiations in Egypt this week, discussing Trump’s 20-point proposal aimed at securing a ceasefire, arranging hostage releases, and setting a framework for Gaza’s post-war administration.
Following Hamas’s agreement on Friday to begin talks on the release of hostages under the Trump plan, the U.S. president urged Israel to halt its bombing campaign. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!”
Ansari expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations, noting that while the parties appear committed to finding common ground, significant hurdles remain.
“I have no doubt that this round of negotiations is a process in which all parties are strongly committed to reaching a consensus, but there are many details to consider,” he said.
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He added that the plan’s implementation would require “practical interpretation on the ground,” emphasizing the importance of continued communication with all stakeholders.
Addressing questions about the future of Hamas’s political bureau in Doha, Ansari said it was too early to make definitive statements. The bureau has served as a mediation channel between Hamas and other actors with U.S. approval.
“As long as there is a need for a channel of communication with Hamas, there is a need for this,” he said.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following Israeli airstrikes last month that reportedly targeted Hamas’s leadership in Qatar, raising questions about Doha’s role in ongoing peace efforts.