Qatar’s Prime Minister warned on Saturday that the ceasefire in Gaza cannot be regarded as genuine while Israeli troops continue to occupy large parts of the territory. Speaking during a diplomatic gathering in Doha, he described the current situation as fragile and incomplete, emphasising that stability cannot return to Gaza without a total military pullout.

The ceasefire, now in place for nearly two months, came after two years of genocidal war that left vast neighbourhoods crushed and hundreds of thousands displaced. While the initial stage of the agreement included the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the return of Israeli captives, as well as a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, the Gaza Strip remains under tight military pressure. Israeli units continue to hold positions across several areas of the territory, undermining any sense of genuine calm for civilians attempting to rebuild shattered lives.

According to the Qatari premier, the next phase of the plan, still awaiting approval, involves a full Israeli withdrawal, a transition administration for Gaza, and the deployment of an international stabilisation force. Negotiations involving Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and the United States are ongoing, though all parties acknowledge that any arrangement without a durable political solution will remain temporary.

Turkey’s foreign minister also stressed the urgency of establishing an international presence in Gaza to physically separate Israeli forces from the Palestinian population, describing it as the only way to prevent renewed escalation. Egypt echoed this appeal, calling for the rapid deployment of the stabilisation mission approved in principle under the peace proposal. Officials from both countries accused Israel of violating the ceasefire on a daily basis through continued military actions.

The Rafah crossing, expected to reopen under the terms of the truce, will be used exclusively for humanitarian and medical aid, Egyptian officials affirmed, rejecting any suggestion that it could serve as a route for the forced displacement of Palestinians. Regional leaders reiterated that the priority remains protecting civilians and ensuring that the ceasefire leads to a genuine end to the suffering inside Gaza.