Qatar Playing Significant Role to Secure Gaza Ceasefire: Australia Tells Qatar PM

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Australia’s capital on Aug. 20 to discuss various matters, including the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Qatar has been playing a pivotal role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas during the ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages.

The meeting between Wong and the Qatari officials also touched upon multiple international and regional issues, with a specific focus on the developments in the Gaza Strip.

Wong expressed Australia’s support for the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and praised Qatar’s role in repatriating Australian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic and evacuating them from Afghanistan and Gaza.

Australia and Qatar agreed on the need for urgent humanitarian action in Gaza due to the catastrophic situation and unacceptable human suffering.

Wong highlighted the collaborative efforts between Australia and Qatar to promote stability, peace, and prosperity in the region.

Meanwhile, Hamas initiated an attack on Israel, resulting in casualties and abductions. The ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire are crucial to ending the conflict and addressing humanitarian concerns.

Hamas Should Be Releasing Hostages: Birmingham

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham emphasized that Hamas holds the key to agreeing on a ceasefire deal and releasing hostages to prevent further tragedies and humanitarian crises.

Birmingham stressed the importance of Hamas unconditionally releasing hostages and dismantling its terrorist activities to achieve lasting peace.

Qatar PM’s Advisor Hopeful On Mediation Process

Majed Al-Ansari, advisor to the Qatari prime minister, expressed optimism and commitment to the mediation process between Israel and Hamas. Qatar’s past experience in mediating conflicts gives them the capacity to navigate challenging negotiations.