Qatar, Egypt call for next steps in Gaza ceasefire

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Foreign Ministry, participated in the 23rd Doha Forum 2025, held under the theme “Establishing Justice: From Promises to Tangible Reality, on Saturday.
The forum was opened under the auspices of Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.
The Omani delegation was headed by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali al Harthy, Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs.
Al Harthy held several meetings on the sidelines of the forum and participated in a closed session entitled Protecting Mediation during Armed Conflict, underscoring the Sultanate of Oman’s unwavering commitment to dialogue, fostering mediation efforts and adhering to peaceful solutions to conflicts.
He highlighted the Sultanate of Oman’s experience in adopting positive and proactive neutrality and its significant role in fostering conducive environments for diplomatic endeavours and the building of trust between parties.
The Sultanate of Oman’s participation in this international forum reflects its commitment to contributing to efforts aimed at enhancing regional and international peace and security.
Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said on Saturday that negotiations on consolidating the US-backed truce in the war in Gaza are at a 'critical' moment.
Mediators are working to force the next phase of the ceasefire forward, the prime minister, whose country has been a key mediator in the war, said during a panel discussion at the Doha Forum conference in Qatar.
Violence has subsided but not stopped since the Gaza truce took effect on October 10.
'We are at a critical moment. It's not yet there. So what we have just done is a pause,' Al Thani said.
'We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire. A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces - (until) there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out - which is not the case today.'
Talks on achieving the next stages of US President Donald Trump's plan to end the two-year war in the Palestinian enclave have been continuing. The plan calls for an interim technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, overseen by an international 'board of peace' and backed by an international security force. Agreeing on the makeup and mandate of that force has been particularly challenging.
Last Thursday, an Israeli delegation held talks in Cairo with mediators on the return of the last captive held in Gaza, which would complete an initial part of Trump's plan.
Since the truce started, Hamas has returned all 20 living captives and 27 bodies in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and convicted prisoners. — Agencies