https://arab.news/vynh4
- Negotiators tackling disputes, violations in bid to prevent escalation
- Qatari official says ‘we’re banking on the support’ of Trump administration
LONDON: Negotiators from Qatar, Egypt and the US are operating a hub in Cairo to monitor and protect the ceasefire in Gaza amid concerns over violations, The Guardian reported.
US President Donald Trump took credit for the ceasefire deal, but said he was not confident that it would hold.
Majed Al-Ansari, an adviser to the Qatari prime minister and spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday: “If it wasn’t for (Trump) this deal wouldn’t be in place right now, so we’re banking on the support of this administration.”
Violations of the ceasefire, the first stage of which is set to last six weeks, have already been reported. On Monday, medics in Gaza said eight people had been struck by Israeli fire.
Negotiations on the second phase are expected to prove more challenging, and will begin early next month.
The hub aims to smooth communication between Israel and Hamas amid a dearth of trust. Timed hostage and prisoner releases have been spaced out to allow for coordination and time to solve disputes.
The deal “gives us enough time to exchange lists, agree on them, deal with any issues with the lists which might arrive and deal with any breaches,” Al-Ansari said.
Breaches are reported to the hub, which operates around the clock, and mediators speak to liaisons from Israel and Hamas in an attempt to prevent escalation.
“This is what has been happening in the last 48 hours. We got calls about possible breaches, we dealt with them immediately and the ceasefire held in place,” Al-Ansari said.