Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has issued a stark warning that daily Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire are threatening the stability of the entire truce, urging an urgent move toward the second phase of the agreement to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. The announcement comes as winter storms intensify suffering across the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Speaking after high-level talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that “delays and ceasefire violations endanger the entire process and place mediators in a difficult position.” Highlighting Qatar’s critical role as a mediator, he called for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza “unconditionally” and insisted that the second phase of the truce begin immediately.
The warning follows growing concerns over Israel’s repeated breaches of the ceasefire, which took effect on October 10. According to Al Jazeera, Israel has violated the truce at least 738 times, resulting in the deaths of at least 394 Palestinians and injuries to more than 1,075 others. Discussions during the seventh U.S.-Qatar Strategic Dialogue centered on pressuring Israel to halt these violations, establishing an international stabilization force (ISF) that may include Indonesian and Turkish troops, and addressing Gaza’s humanitarian emergency.
Tensions escalated further over the weekend when Israeli forces assassinated senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in Gaza City. U.S. President Donald Trump noted that his administration was reviewing whether the strike breached the truce, while U.S. officials warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against undermining the ceasefire, emphasizing the need to honor the deal brokered by the Trump administration.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly dire. Winter storms have compounded the crisis, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in makeshift tents or damaged buildings without adequate shelter. Vital supplies such as mobile homes, tents, and blankets remain blocked by Israel, while only 39 percent of aid trucks reach their intended destinations. Tragically, severe hypothermia claimed the lives of a 29-day-old premature baby, Said Asad Abedin, and a two-week-old infant, Mohammed Khalil Abu al-Khair, bringing the storm-related death toll to 13. Approximately 30,000 children have been affected by storm-damaged shelters, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
Hamas officials have expressed alarm over continued Israeli violations, with Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya stating that such actions threaten the viability of the agreement. He called on Trump to compel Israel to comply with its obligations. In response, Netanyahu defended the killing of Saad, accusing Hamas of attempting to rearm in violation of the peace plan.
The second phase of the U.S.-backed ceasefire envisions a disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and deployment of an international force—issues proving more complex than the first phase, which primarily involved an exchange of prisoners and captives. Netanyahu noted that Israel is nearing the end of the first phase, focusing on securing the return of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili’s remains, the last deceased captive held in Gaza. Over the course of the agreement, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners’ bodies have been returned, many showing disturbing signs of torture, mutilation, and execution.
As winter continues to worsen conditions and ceasefire violations persist, international attention and urgent humanitarian action remain critical to prevent further loss of life and to stabilize the fragile truce in Gaza.