Qatar PM Calls on Hamas, Israel to Begin Immediate Talks on Gaza Ceasefire Phase Two

 Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan give a joint press conference in Doha on February 2, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan give a joint press conference in Doha on February 2, 2025. (AFP)
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Qatar PM Calls on Hamas, Israel to Begin Immediate Talks on Gaza Ceasefire Phase Two

 Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan give a joint press conference in Doha on February 2, 2025. (AFP)
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan give a joint press conference in Doha on February 2, 2025. (AFP)

Qatar's prime minister on Sunday called on Israel and Hamas to immediately begin negotiating phase two of the Gaza ceasefire, adding that there is no clear plan for when talks will begin.

"We demand (Hamas and Israel) to engage immediately as stipulated in the agreement," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said at a press conference held jointly with Türkiye's foreign minister in the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday.

According to the ceasefire agreement , negotiations on implementing the second phase of the deal should begin before the 16th day of phase one of the ceasefire, which is Monday.

Israel and Hamas last month reached a complex three-phase accord that has halted the fighting in Gaza. Hamas has so far released 18 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

There are more than 70 hostages still held in Gaza.

The second stage of the accord is expected to include Hamas releasing all remaining hostages held in Gaza, a permanent end to hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave.

"There is nothing yet clear about where the delegations will come and when it's going to take place," Sheikh Mohammed said.

Mediators have engaged with Hamas and Israel over the phone and Qatar has set an agenda for the next phase of negotiations, he said.

"We hope that we start to see some movement in the next few days. It's critical that we get things rolling from now in order to get to an agreement before day 42."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would begin negotiations on phase two of the agreement on Monday in Washington, when he is set to meet US President Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff.

During his meeting with Witkoff, Netanyahu will discuss Israel's positions in respect to the ceasefire, the prime minister's office said. Witkoff will then speak with officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have mediated between Israel and Hamas over the past 15 months with backing from Washington.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Developments in Niamey

A view of an empty street following a mutineers' attack on the airport and the presidency in Niamey, Niger, August 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A view of an empty street following a mutineers' attack on the airport and the presidency in Niamey, Niger, August 29, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Developments in Niamey

A view of an empty street following a mutineers' attack on the airport and the presidency in Niamey, Niger, August 29, 2026. (Reuters)
A view of an empty street following a mutineers' attack on the airport and the presidency in Niamey, Niger, August 29, 2026. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the developments that took place in Niamey on Saturday, saying the Kingdom “stands in solidarity with the government and people of Niger against any attempt to undermine the country’s security and stability.”

A Foreign Ministry statement underlined the Kingdom’s support for all efforts that help “in safeguarding the security and sovereignty of Niger and protecting its resources against rebel groups.”

It wished Niger and its people continued security and prosperity.


Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Türkiye on Victory Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Türkiye on Victory Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Sunday a cable of congratulations to Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his country's Victory Day.

King Salman wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Türkiye steady progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Erdogan a similar cable on the occasion.


OIC Secretary-General, GCC Secretary-General Discuss Boosting Cooperation

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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OIC Secretary-General, GCC Secretary-General Discuss Boosting Cooperation

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed received a phone call from Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

During the call, the two sides discussed ways to strengthen partnership and coordination between the OIC and the GCC.