Qatar Says Hamas-Israel Armistice Agreement Has Not Been Achieved But There Is Still Hope

Spokesperson for the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs Majed Al-Ansari. (Twitter/@majedalasansari)

JAKARTA - Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday hope remained although a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Gaza had not yet been reached.

Despite weeks of talks involving US, Qatar, and Egyptian mediators, the Holy Month of Ramadan began on Monday without the start of the ceasefire and the widely sought exchange of hostages.

"We have not reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza but there is still hope," Ansari said at a press conference in Doha, adding negotiations were underway, quoted from The Times of Israel March 12.

"We do not see that both parties agree in discussing the language that can resolve the current dispute regarding the implementation of the agreement," he continued.

He further said, all parties "continue to strive in negotiations to reach an agreement that is expected to be reached in the month of Ramadan."

But he added that he could not "bid any deadlines" regarding the deal, explaining the situation is still "very complicated on the pitch."

Ansari also said Qatar was trying to realize a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, not a short-term ceasefire that lasted only a few days.

Separately, Hamas official Mohammad Nazzal said, although negotiations on a possible hostage-taking deal and a temporary ceasefire were deadlocked, mediators were still trying to reach an agreement.

"Negotiations have not stopped. This has reached a stalemate in recent days, but Qatar and Egypt are working hard to continue," he told Al Jazeera, according to public broadcaster Kan.

"Hamas responded to the mediators and tried to work together positively, but (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu was a stumbling block to any understanding. Negotiations will not stop until Netanyahu meets Hamas requirements," Nazzal said, without providing further details.

Israel itself says any ceasefire should be temporary, with the aim of destroying Hamas and returning all hostages.

Qatar helped negotiate a week-long ceasefire in November last year, in which about 105 hostages were successfully released, mostly women and children, in exchange for three times as many Palestinian security detainees detained in Israeli prisons, followed by increased humanitarian aid during the ceasefire.