Qatar PM Says Gaza's Armistice Is Still In Accordance With Plans Despite Violations

JAKARTA - Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said on Wednesday it expected the ceasefire of Palestinian and Israeli militant groups in the Gaza Strip to remain in effect despite violations.

Israel launched an attack on Gaza that killed more than 100 civilians on Tuesday night, after accusing the Hamas militant group of violating the ceasefire agreement.

"Fortunately, I think the main parties are both admitting the ceasefire must be maintained and they must comply with the agreement," PM Qatar told the Foreign Relations Council during his visit to New York.

Israel launched a massive attack after claiming one of its troops was killed in enemy fire in Gaza. The accusations were strongly denied by Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

"Basically it is a violation by the Palestinian side," said PM Qatar, noting Hamas had stated that he had not communicated with the group carrying out the attack.

"Yesterday's incident, to be honest, was very disappointing and frustrating for us," continued Sheikh Al Thani.

"We are trying to detain him and we are immediately mobilizing troops after this incident with full coordination with the United States. And we have seen that the US is also committed to the agreement, so the ceasefire is still in effect today," he said.

As previously reported, Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday night that killed 104 Palestinians, including children and women, saying they acted after an attack by Palestinian militants killed a soldier, in the latest challenge to a fragile ceasefire.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its attack on the Gaza Strip was a response to the terror group's violation of the ceasefire.

Among those confirmed to have died in the attack were several who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack, according to the IDF, according to The Times of Israel.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health said 46 children and 20 women were among 104 people killed in Israeli airstrikes since Tuesday, quoted by Reuters.

Qatar, where Hamas leaders live, has been the main diplomatic intermediary since Israel launched its devastating attacks in response to cross-border attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Last month, Israel launched an attack in Qatar aimed at Hamas leaders discussing a ceasefire proposal, prompting a rare rebuke from US President Donald Trump against Israel, which then urged a tougher ceasefire in Gaza.

Sheikh Al Thani called the attack in which a Qatari security guard became the first citizen of the Gulf Arab monarchy to be killed in an Israeli airstrike not only a surprise, but also a game changer for the entire region."

"I think the attack itself has shown the US that there are many red lines being violated in the region," he said.