Prospects of a breakthrough in ongoing ceasefire negotiations are unlikely due to Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said.

Speaking to CNN on May 14, the prime minister criticised Israel for sending “a bad signal” by bombing the Gaza Strip while simultaneously dispatching a delegation to participate in talks hosted by Qatar, Caliber.Az reports.

Al-Thani described the recent release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander as a “breakthrough that will help bring back the talks on track.” However, he condemned Israel’s immediate resumption of airstrikes the following day, saying it undermines the negotiation process.

“Unfortunately, Israel’s reaction to this was [bombing] the next day, while sending the delegation,” Al-Thani said. “[They are] basically sending the signal that [they] are not interested in negotiations.”

He confirmed that Qatari mediators remain in contact with both sides but warned that progress is unlikely if the current approach continues.

“Our teams are engaging with both parties. We hope to see some progress; I’m not sure if this progress will be something seen very soon with this continuing behaviour,” he said.

An Israeli delegation is currently in Doha to continue talks, which coincide with a visit to Qatar by US President Donald Trump.

“If there is no willingness to behave in a meaningful negotiation, then how can we reach the solution?” the Qatari leader asked, adding, “At the end of the day, the decision is in the hands of the parties.”

The Israeli government has agreed to resume ceasefire negotiations in Doha, following a direct request from the Trump administration. The move comes in the wake of Hamas’s release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, a gesture hailed by US officials as a potential turning point in efforts to end the Gaza conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a call with coalition party leaders on May 12 to clarify that sending a delegation to Qatar does not signal a shift in Israel’s military objectives. “Unless Hamas agrees to disarm, we will only accept a temporary truce aimed at releasing some of the hostages,” Netanyahu stated during the meeting.

The decision followed consultations with US Middle East envoy Whitkoff and a subsequent phone call with President Donald Trump. Alexander’s release—after 584 days in captivity—was described by Hamas as a goodwill gesture toward the US, brokered with the help of third-party mediators.

President Trump welcomed the development, calling it “a step taken in good faith towards the United States and the efforts of the mediators… to put an end to this very brutal war and return ALL living hostages and remains to their loved ones.”

Despite growing international pressure and signs of diplomatic movement, Netanyahu has remained resolute. He reiterated that no lasting agreement will be considered unless Hamas is fully disarmed and its governing and military structures dismantled.

By Sabina Mammadli

Source: caliber.az