US President Donald Trump has expressed gratitude to Qatar for its pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire deal in Gaza, amid ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. The Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was warmly welcomed by Trump on Air Force One as the US president's plane refueled en route to a summit in Malaysia.
During their meeting, Trump acknowledged Qatar's significant contributions to the peace process, stating that the country had been "a very big factor" in achieving this goal. The Qatari leader described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss ongoing efforts to solidify the ceasefire and explore prospects for cooperation between the two nations.
However, several key elements of the agreement remain unclear, including Washington's demand that Hamas disarm and the deployment of an international security force to Gaza. Trump acknowledged these uncertainties but expressed confidence in the truce holding, stating that "Hamas will not be hard to take care of" if it fails.
The US president also hinted at the possibility of Qatari troops participating in a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, citing 59 countries as being involved. He emphasized that the peace deal should be an enduring one and that the security force could be operational "pretty quickly."
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, with Israeli forces killing at least one person and wounding four others in a recent attack on a vehicle in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Hamas has expressed frustration over its failure to access areas previously inaccessible due to intense bombardment.
The US administration's efforts to ensure compliance with the ceasefire deal are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio visiting Israel this week to discuss phase two of the Washington-led plan. Al Jazeera reports that senior officials have sought to project a positive message despite concerns over the agreement's durability.
During their meeting, Trump acknowledged Qatar's significant contributions to the peace process, stating that the country had been "a very big factor" in achieving this goal. The Qatari leader described the meeting as an opportunity to discuss ongoing efforts to solidify the ceasefire and explore prospects for cooperation between the two nations.
However, several key elements of the agreement remain unclear, including Washington's demand that Hamas disarm and the deployment of an international security force to Gaza. Trump acknowledged these uncertainties but expressed confidence in the truce holding, stating that "Hamas will not be hard to take care of" if it fails.
The US president also hinted at the possibility of Qatari troops participating in a proposed international stabilization force for Gaza, citing 59 countries as being involved. He emphasized that the peace deal should be an enduring one and that the security force could be operational "pretty quickly."
Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, with Israeli forces killing at least one person and wounding four others in a recent attack on a vehicle in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Hamas has expressed frustration over its failure to access areas previously inaccessible due to intense bombardment.
The US administration's efforts to ensure compliance with the ceasefire deal are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio visiting Israel this week to discuss phase two of the Washington-led plan. Al Jazeera reports that senior officials have sought to project a positive message despite concerns over the agreement's durability.