Qatar says diplomatic efforts to ease U.S.-Iran escalations are underway, renews calls for Gaza ceasefire implementation

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari urged faster implementation of the Gaza ceasefire’s second phase and called on the international community to pressure Israel to withdraw from the enclave.Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to preventing further escalation in the region and continuing engagement with regional and international partners to support diplomatic solutions, Majed Al-Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during the ministry’s weekly press briefing.Al-Ansari also stressed the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz “in a manner that safeguards the interests of all countries in the region,” rejecting the politicisation of the Strait and its use as a means of pressure.On the wider U.S.-Iran escalations in the region, Al-Ansari said Qatar, Pakistan and Oman are coordinating closely to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran, exchanging proposals between the two sides as part of ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution.“Our focus right now is avoiding escalation, reopening the strait and reopening the door for diplomacy between the parties,” the Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told reporters.“We can confirm that the efforts are still ongoing with all the parties,” Al-Ansari said, adding that “we are looking towards a diplomatic resolution as we are speaking right now. There are current efforts on the ground that are in very progressive stages”.“The mediators, Qatar, Pakistan and now Oman, are all working together on that issue,” he said.“We are coordinating very closely with the Omanis to facilitate the talks between both sides and exchanging ideas and drafts.”On Gaza, Al-Ansari said mediators were pushing to expedite the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which is tied to the plan put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump.He said the Palestinian side and Hamas had shown commitment to the agreed roadmap, and that Israel was now expected to honour its own commitments, withdraw from Gaza, and comply with international law.Qatar called on the international community to increase pressure on Israel to implement the agreement, halt its attacks, withdraw from Gaza, and abide by international law, Al-Ansari added.The briefing came a day after Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye, in their capacity as mediators of the ceasefire, issued a joint statement strongly condemning the ongoing Israeli violations in Gaza, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and medical infrastructure.The three countries said the resulting civilian casualties, including women and children, amounted to a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, and warned that the continuation of such attacks constitutes a breach of the ceasefire agreement and undermines efforts to implement its second phase.