Introduction
Qatar’s prime minister has issued a stark warning that repeated Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire are putting the entire peace process at risk, as humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave continue to deteriorate rapidly.
Qatar Raises Alarm Over Ceasefire Stability
Speaking after high-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stressed that continued delays and ceasefire breaches threaten to undo months of diplomatic efforts.
Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations, called for the immediate launch of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and insisted that humanitarian aid must reach Gaza without conditions.
Hundreds of Reported Ceasefire Violations
Since the ceasefire came into effect in October, Israeli forces have reportedly violated the agreement hundreds of times. These incidents have resulted in significant civilian casualties, raising serious concerns among mediators and international observers.
According to analysts monitoring the talks, pressure is mounting on Israel to halt military actions that undermine the truce, as most reported violations are attributed to Israeli operations.
Tensions Rise After High-Profile Strike
The fragile ceasefire reached a critical moment following Israel’s killing of senior Hamas commander Raed Saad in Gaza City. The strike sparked intense diplomatic reactions, with US officials reportedly warning Israel not to jeopardize the agreement brokered by Washington.
While Israel claims the operation was justified, mediators fear such actions could unravel the deal entirely.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Winter Storms
Beyond the political tensions, Gaza’s humanitarian situation has grown increasingly dire. Severe winter weather has left hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians exposed in unsafe shelters, tents, and damaged buildings.
Aid delivery remains heavily restricted, with less than half of approved humanitarian trucks reaching Gaza. Critical supplies such as tents, blankets, and mobile homes continue to be blocked, worsening conditions for vulnerable families.
Children Pay the Highest Price
UN agencies report that tens of thousands of children have been affected by storm damage to shelters. In recent days, multiple infants have died from hypothermia, highlighting the urgent need for unrestricted humanitarian access.
International organizations warn that further delays could lead to a larger humanitarian catastrophe.
Uncertain Path to Phase Two
The proposed second phase of the ceasefire includes Israeli troop withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, and the deployment of an international stabilization force. However, disagreements over security arrangements and enforcement mechanisms remain major obstacles.
Despite official statements expressing commitment to peace, trust between the parties continues to erode.
Conclusion
As mediators push for progress, Qatar’s warning underscores a growing fear: without immediate action to halt violations and allow full humanitarian access, the Gaza ceasefire could collapse, plunging the region back into intensified conflict.