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 FM Receives Phone Call from Bahraini Counterpart

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Bahraini Counterpart

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

Prince Faisal expressed his condemnation of the flagrant Iranian attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, affirming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's full support and solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Bahrain and its support for all measures taken by Bahrain to protect its security, territorial integrity, and citizens, SPA reported.

The two sides also discussed the serious developments in the region and the importance of concerted efforts and enhanced joint coordination to preserve security and stability in the region.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Jordanian FM, Receives Message from South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with Jordanian FM, Receives Message from South Korean Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a phone call from Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two sides condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, describing them as a violation of the two countries' sovereignty and a setback to ongoing efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

They also reviewed recent developments and discussed joint efforts to enhance security and stability across the region.

The Saudi Foreign Minister also received a written message from his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun concerning bilateral relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received the message during a meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Kang Shin-chul at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh.

The meeting also reviewed cooperation between the two friendly countries and a discussion of regional and international topics.

 


Faisal bin Farhan, Grossi Discuss Nuclear Non-proliferation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
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Faisal bin Farhan, Grossi Discuss Nuclear Non-proliferation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met with IAEA's Director General in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi in Riyadh.

During the meeting on Wednesday, the two sides reviewed cooperation relations between the Kingdom and the IAEA, particularly in the areas of nuclear non-proliferation and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

They also discussed a number of issues and topics of mutual interest.