Qatar PM Blames Palestinian Side for Ceasefire Breach after Attack on Israeli Soldier

Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said a «Palestinian party» violated the ceasefire after an Israeli soldier was reportedly killed in Rafah on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, he told interviewer Ayman Mohyeldin the attack was «a violation by the Palestinian party.» He noted Hamas claimed it was not in contact with the group involved, but said there is no verification of that claim.

Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered retaliatory strikes on Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry cited by Al Jazeera, 104 people were killed, mostly women and children. Israel said it targeted senior Hamas fighters, then announced it would resume observing the ceasefire from mid-Wednesday.

Qatar’s premier said Doha is working intensively with both sides to keep the truce in place and praised US engagement. He added there were talks about Hamas delaying the transfer of bodies, and Qatar made clear this was a commitment that must be met.

«From the start we faced many challenges,» he said, adding that Qatar helped broker earlier pauses and hopes this ceasefire lasts. He called the incident «very disappointing and frustrating,» saying Qatar moved quickly in coordination with the United States to contain the fallout.

More news at Kursiv Uzbekistan.