War in the Middle East
Qatar’s head of government: Destruction of Hamas is hardly possible
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani believes an extension of the ceasefire is possible. photo
© -/Ukrinform/dpa
Qatar mediates between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. He considers the Israeli goal of destroying Hamas to be utopian. His country is mediating to maintain peace in the region.
Referring to the Israeli government, Al Thani said there is no need to like each other. He cannot agree with a policy that refuses to even consider the right of the Palestinian people to their own state and protects “criminal land grabs by settlers” in the West Bank. “But in the end we have a working relationship. We have contacts, we work with them for the good of the Palestinians. And Israel knows how effective this working relationship is.” Al Thani added that Israel has “repeatedly asked Qatar for help in ensuring calm in Gaza and the region over the past few years.” “We deliver. We save lives. We have had difficult negotiations.”
Asked whether Qatar had any sympathy for Hamas, Al Thani replied: “We sympathize with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause. We sympathize with the people who have been suffering for decades. And we will do everything for the Palestinian people helps. Our support is not for political parties or political ideologies.”
Al Thani blames Europeans
Al Thani criticized Europeans for not criticizing Israel strongly enough for its conduct of the war in Gaza. “There appear to be different standards for the obligations under international humanitarian law. I’m sorry to say this, but there is great disappointment here,” he said, calling on states in the region to advance a solution to the conflict. “It is time for us as a region to do our duty – and for Israel to do its duty to make peace possible.”
Al Thani believes an extension of the ceasefire, which expires on Tuesday, is possible. The agreement between Israel and Hamas on the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip and the pause in fighting “at least succeeded in creating a positive dynamic.” He hopes to be able to build on that now. “Now that hostages are being released and there is a lull in the fighting, we may be able to find a solution.”