Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said that Qatar's resumption of its role as a mediator in the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip came after a period of continuous contacts with various parties despite previous challenges.

He explained in an interview with Al Jazeera that there is a new atmosphere that reflects a shift in the approach with the emergence of realistic language at the negotiating table that expresses the parties’ point of view, while maintaining cautious optimism about reaching an agreement.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman pointed out that the decision to freeze negotiations in the past was a result of the lack of seriousness on the part of the concerned parties, but the contacts did not stop, indicating that the current stage is witnessing new viewpoints and ideas under discussion.

Regarding the nature of the current stage, Al-Ansari said that the title that was set from the beginning was “cautious optimism,” as optimism pushes towards doing everything necessary to end the crisis, while being cautious about the field obstacles that hinder reaching an agreement.

He pointed out that Qatar will not close its door to any ideas that are put forward, but they will not be used to market a specific political position.

Not essential

Commenting on the statements of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during the Doha Forum regarding the differences between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, Al Ansari stressed that the differences are not fundamental, but what is stopping reaching an agreement is the prioritization of narrow political interests over humanitarian issues.

He criticised linking the entry of aid or stopping the killing machine to narrow political positions, noting at the same time that there has been a realistic language prevailing in the negotiations for some time, and reaching an agreement remains the main challenge.

Regarding the proposals currently being put forward, Al Ansari explained that it is still too early to discuss specific details, but he stressed that communication channels remain open, and that discussions are ongoing with all concerned parties to develop a common vision that serves to achieve stability.

Regarding the impact of the transitional phase in the US administration on the negotiations, Al Ansari said that Qatar has long experience in dealing with successive US administrations, and is aware of the nature of the democratic system and periods of political transition in the United States.

He pointed out that his country continues to work with the current administration until the last moment, while maintaining communication channels with the transitional team of the next administration, to ensure the continuation of dialogue on ending the crisis.

missed opportunity

Regarding the Syrian file, Al-Ansari stressed that the Syrian regime did not take advantage of the historic opportunity to reconcile with its people, which led to the accumulation of crises and the escalation of security tensions in the country.

He explained that Qatar continues to call on the regime to respond to the Geneva initiatives and international legitimacy resolutions, and is working to reduce escalation in cooperation with regional and international parties, to ensure the aspirations of the Syrian people are achieved as soon as possible.

Al-Ansari also pointed out that Qatar has been involved from the beginning in supporting the Syrian people and alleviating their suffering, stressing that the meetings held on the sidelines of the Doha Forum represent an opportunity to come up with unified Arab and international positions that contribute to ending the escalation and removing the specter of war from Syria.

Commenting on regional developments, Al Ansari warned that the continuation of crises in Gaza and Syria could lead to a comprehensive regional collapse, calling on the international community to take urgent action to stop the war machine and ensure that crises are addressed gradually to achieve peace and stability in the region.