Efforts to broker a new ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of more hostages held by Hamas are ongoing, despite the ongoing Israeli bombardment, according to Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Speaking at the Doha Forum, he emphasized that Qatar, along with its partners, is committed to continuing its mediation efforts and will not give up. However, he expressed concern that the ongoing bombardment is narrowing the window for a successful outcome.

The conflict escalated after Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages in an unprecedented attack on October 7, prompting Israel to declare war on the militant group. The Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 17,700 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with many of the casualties being women and children.

Qatar played a key role in negotiating a seven-day truce, during which scores of Israeli hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and humanitarian aid. However, the truce ended at the beginning of the month. The prime minister reiterated Qatar's commitment to securing the release of hostages and ending the war, but expressed frustration at the lack of willingness from both parties to engage in the peace process.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking at the Doha Forum, highlighted the challenges faced in addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict. He expressed concern over the Security Council's inability to reach a consensus due to geostrategic divisions, which he believes undermines potential solutions to the conflict. Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, expressing disappointment over the Security Council's failure to act, despite his appeal.

Guterres also warned of the severe risk of a collapse of the humanitarian system and the fast deterioration of the situation into a catastrophe with potentially irreversible implications for Palestinians and the overall peace and security in the region. He had previously convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council after two months of fighting in Gaza, utilizing a rarely-used provision of the United Nations Charter to bring attention to the matter.

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