Negotiations aimed at solidifying the U.S.-backed truce between Israel and Hamas have reached a “critical moment,” Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said on Saturday, warning that the current halt in fighting remains fragile and far from a full ceasefire.
Speaking during a panel at the Doha Forum, the Qatari leader, whose country has served as a central mediator throughout the war, said efforts were underway to advance the next phase of the agreement. But he cautioned that the conditions on the ground in Gaza remain unstable.
“We are at a critical moment. It’s not yet there,” he said. “What we have just done is a pause. We cannot consider it yet a ceasefire. A ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of Israeli forces, until there is stability back in Gaza, people can go in and out — which is not the case today.”
Talks have been continuing on the next components of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the two-year war in Gaza. The proposal calls for an interim technocratic Palestinian administration in the enclave, overseen by an international “board of peace” and supported by an international security force.
Diplomatic sources say one of the most difficult issues has been determining the structure, mandate, and participating countries of that security force—an element both sides view as essential to preventing a return to full-scale fighting.
Earlier this week, an Israeli delegation met Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the final hostage believed to remain in Gaza. Securing the hostage’s release would complete the initial phase of the U.S. plan.
Since the truce began, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and 27 bodies in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners, according to Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Although hostilities have significantly decreased, both sides have reported violations.
Palestinian health authorities in Gaza said Israeli fire killed five people in Beit Lahiya and Jabalia on Saturday. Israel’s military said its forces, positioned behind the designated “yellow line” established in the truce, opened fire in two separate incidents at militants who crossed the boundary, killing three.
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Israel has also continued limited strikes and demolition operations against what it says are remaining Hamas positions and tunnels, even as diplomatic talks proceed.
Regional leaders and international mediators say the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the temporary pause can transition into a more durable ceasefire or collapse back into open conflict.
Qatar, Egypt and the United States are expected to intensify shuttle diplomacy in the week ahead. The U.S. has previously said its priority is securing stability inside Gaza while building momentum for a political framework that can prevent a recurrence of the violence.