U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed a desire for a ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza before his inauguration on January 20, Qatar’s Prime Minister revealed.
In an interview with Sky News, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani confirmed Trump’s intention to see an end to the conflict, which he described as a “genocidal war” in the Palestinian enclave. “Yes, he made that clear,” the Prime Minister stated.
Sheikh Mohammed explained that Trump’s team emphasized resolving the crisis as soon as possible. “They want this to be resolved now — today even,” he added, while noting his reluctance to disclose specifics to safeguard the ongoing negotiations.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of addressing the crisis promptly. “We are trying our best. We’ve been doing our utmost,” he said. “All of us agree and hope to stabilize the situation and restore regional security before the President-elect takes office.”
Mediation efforts involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar to broker a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas have so far failed, largely due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to halt the conflict. The war has resulted in approximately 45,000 Palestinian deaths, 105,000 injuries, and the displacement of nearly all 2.4 million residents of Gaza, according to Palestinian authorities. Analysts and U.N. sources suggest the actual death toll may exceed 200,000.
Israel has detained approximately 10,000 Palestinians, many of whom have been imprisoned since October last year, amidst international criticism of its actions.
The second year of the conflict has drawn widespread condemnation, with officials labeling the attacks and the blockade of aid as an attempt to destroy Gaza’s population. On November 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Trump’s prior policies during his presidency, including relocating the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, have fueled tensions. Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestine, and Trump’s move was widely criticized for undermining peace efforts.
