Qatar PM Condemns ‘Collective Punishment Policy’ on Gaza

Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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Qatar PM Condemns ‘Collective Punishment Policy’ on Gaza

Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Palestinians search for casualties following an Israeli strike on a house, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Qatar's prime minister said on Wednesday that the only way to reach a peaceful solution in Gaza is to keep communication channels open, condemning “the collective punishment policy” on the Palestinian enclave.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha that Qatar will continue coordinating with Türkiye and regional partners to de-escalate the crisis.

He added: "Qatar condemns the collective punishment policy" on Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in the joint press conference with Sheikh Mohammed that an Israeli ground operation into Gaza would turn the fighting there into a massacre.

Fidan said that those supporting Israel's actions under the pretense of solidarity are "accomplices to its crimes.”

Sheikh Mohammed said that hostage negotiations with Hamas over the more than 200 people it took hostage during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel continue.

“Regarding the progress on the hostage negotiation, it’s still ongoing,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “If we compare where we started and where we are right now, there is some progress and some breakthrough and we will remain hopeful.”

He added: “The negotiations are still ongoing and at any moment of time, I think that if we will be able to get along between the two parties, I think we will see some breakthroughs hopefully soon.”



Trump Hails Success of Riyadh Summit, Says May Meet Putin this Month 

A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
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Trump Hails Success of Riyadh Summit, Says May Meet Putin this Month 

A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)
A handout photo made available by the Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service shows Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov (2-R) attending a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2-L), US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (3-L) and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (L), Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abduallah and Saudi National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 18 February 2025. (EPA / Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service)

US President Donald Trump hailed on Tuesday the "very good" talks that were held between the United States and Russia in Riyadh.

He added that he may meet Russian President Vladimir Putin this month.

"Probably," he said as he ended a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach when asked if he still expected to meet with Putin before the end of the month.

Trump spoke for the first time since a US delegation established a working dialogue with Russia about Ukraine during talks in Riyadh earlier in the day.

He brushed aside Ukraine's concern about being left out of the meeting, saying Kyiv could have made a deal with Russia three years ago to avert the invasion by Moscow.

"Today I heard, 'oh, we weren't invited.' Well you've been there for three years, you should have ended it... you should have never started it. You could have made a deal," he remarked.

"I think I have the power to end this war," stressed Trump.

Trump said he would not oppose Europeans if they want to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

European leaders have discussed sending peacekeepers to provide security guarantees in the event of a peace deal.

"Having troops over there would be fine, I wouldn't object to it at all," Trump said.